Sejati MADANI: Kampung Piandang JPKK's Biofloc Fish Farming Poised To Generate Lucrative Income

BATU GAJAH, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- The initiative by the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) of Kampung Piandang, Siputeh, which has turned abandoned land into a red tilapia breeding project using the biofloc system, is expected to generate a five-figure income.

Kampung Piandang JPKK chairman Umar Ali Sellaman Kuti said the development of the Siputeh Biofloc Aquaculture Centre, located on a 0.8-hectare plot, began last June with an allocation of RM100,000 under the Sejahtera Komuniti Madani (SejaTi MADANI) programme.

“We received the funds at the end of May, and by the following month, we began constructing the fish breeding centre, which is equipped with basic facilities such as offices, toilets, canvas ponds, and oxygen machines.

“Since early September, we’ve been gradually adding red tilapia and baung fish fry, each around 3 inches, into the ponds,” he told Bernama here.

The father of one said that they were currently breeding 16,000 tilapia in eight ponds, each measuring five cubic metres, with the fish averaging around seven inches in size.

Umar Ali said that each of the ponds was expected to produce around 4,000 kg of red tilapia, with a market value of RM40,000 per production cycle.

“This tilapia will take about four months to reach maturity. We expect that by early January next year, they will weigh around 400 g each and be ready for sale.

“Currently, we are in talks with several buyers from Perak, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor who are interested in purchasing the fish once they mature,” he said.

Commenting on the advantages of the biofloc system, he explained that it used specific bacteria to break down food waste and fish faeces into flocs, which could be consumed by the fish, thus reducing costs, especially in food preparation and water usage for the project.

“If we follow the conventional method, we would have to feed the fish with pellets at least two or three times a day, which would cost us thousands of ringgit each month.

“Unlike the conventional method, the biofloc system uses a special liquid (bacteria) in the pond to turn fish waste into food. This helps save on food costs, which can then be used for other needs,” he said.

He added that the system was easy to manage and posed fewer threats from wild animals such as beavers, storks and snakes.

When asked about his fish care routine, Umar Ali explained that he regularly monitored their food intake to help them reach the desired weight and kept the water clean to prevent deaths.

He also said that the income generated from the project would be directed to the community fund to assist the underprivileged.

Looking ahead, Umar Ali said the Kampung Piandang JPKK planned to scale up red tilapia seeding using the same method.

“This is one of the future plans that I see has the potential to be developed and able to make a decent profit, and if successful, it could also create job opportunities for the villagers,” he said.

--  BERNAMA