Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, visited the AR Aqua Farming aquaculture project in Pekan Nanas, Pontian, Johor to assess the aquaculture sector’s ability to support the country’s food supply security.
The visit focused on the aquaculture industry’s role as one of the country’s primary protein sources, particularly in ensuring a sufficient, stable, and competitive fish supply.
During the visit, the minister was briefed on farming operations, the use of technology, and the current challenges that entrepreneurs face in increasing productivity.
Dato’ Adnan bin Hussain, Director-General of Fisheries, emphasised the importance of a grassroots approach in ensuring that government policies and initiatives are effectively implemented on the ground.
“The Malaysian Fisheries Department continues to emphasise increasing domestic production, particularly in the aquaculture subsector, as a means of strengthening the country’s food security,” he stated.
The Malaysian Fisheries Department is implementing the National Agro-Food Empowerment Programme (PPAN) 2026, which includes 23 strategic projects and a total allocation of RM18.5 million from the state government through the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN).
This programme is a continuation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s (KPKM) strategic agenda, with a total allocation of RM300 million for 2026 and RM1 billion for 2026-2030.
The projects include the development of the aquaculture sub-sector and Capture Fisheries Resources (SPT), which involves infrastructure modernisation, increased production, and sustainable resource management throughout the country.
The state of Johor has allocated RM1.45 million to implement several major initiatives, including the Food Fish Aquaculture Industry Productivity Improvement Programme, the Shellfish Estate Production Enhancement Project, and the Fisheries Community Economic Transformation Programme.
The visit to this aquaculture project also provides an overview of how these initiatives are being implemented in the field, particularly in terms of increasing domestic production and supporting the national food security agenda.
The Malaysian Fisheries Department will continue to strengthen the implementation of the PPAN to ensure that the fisheries sector is sustainable, resilient, and contributes to the country’s food security.
