TUARAN: Lobster farming will become a source of income for B40 families at Kampung Bantayan in Tamparuli here.
Minister in the Prime Minister's department (Special Tasks) Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof said the freshwater farming of the crustacean using aquaponic systems was one of the high potential sectors that have been identified to uplift the B40 community.
He said the move would open another avenue to earn income for rural folks.
"The government wants more B40 entrepreneurs to benefit through various aid provided under the relevant agencies to enable them to have a secure source of income.
"This programme would contribute towards improving the rural economy while providing employment opportunities," he said.
Redzuan told this to reporters after visiting the freshwater lobster breeding project site here on Monday.
The project under the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) is being implemented in collaboration with Sabah Universiti Institut Teknologi Mara (UiTM) under the 11th Malaysia Plan's Entrepreneur Development Fund.
A total of RM47.5 million funding was allocated for the project in Sabah from 2015 to 2020.
"Besides that, there were 10,377 people who have participated in the project. For 2021 alone, a total of RM7.5 million has been approved for development in the state," he added.
The lobster farming project, which uses Green Aquaponics Perennial System, is being carried out at six locations; Kampung Duvanson in Putatan, Kampung Muhibbah in Petagas, Kampung Ratau in Menggatal, Kampung Sabandar in Tuaran, Kampung Ratau in Menggatal and Kampung Bantayan in Tamparuli.
Meanwhile, a resident of Kampung Bantayan, Jessela Joseph, 34, said she was among the five participants who underwent a training course to breed freshwater lobster.
"As a housewife in the B40 group, this career allows me to earn a source of income because it is easy to breed these lobsters in rural areas."