KUCHING – Sarawak has taken a major step towards strengthening its aquaculture sector with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Rural Development (M-FICORD) and Norway-based Blue Future Holding.
The agreement, witnessed in Kuching on Tuesday, focuses on the research and development of high-quality tilapia genetics and the establishment of a yellow tilapia hatchery. The initiative is expected to enhance Sarawak’s role as a regional producer of high-protein food while addressing challenges in the state’s aquaculture supply chain.
Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the collaboration would benefit the entire supply chain by providing quality fish products, improving cage productivity, and creating new job opportunities in rural areas.
“This cooperation not only ensures food supply, but also provides opportunities for the rural people to acquire new skills and increase their income,” he said.
By 2024, Sarawak’s aquaculture sector had produced 14,130 metric tonnes, but the industry continues to face challenges, particularly in Batang Ai, where a shortage of 8.2 million fish fry has affected the operation of 14,587 cages.
Through this partnership, Blue Future Holding and its subsidiary Genomar Genetics Asia will provide technology and breeding expertise to shorten the growth cycle of giant tilapia, thereby boosting yields and ensuring a stable fish supply.
“Our aim is not only to meet the demand in the state, but also to penetrate the international market with high-quality aquaculture products,” Dr Rundi added.
The MoU also positions Sarawak as a potential third global tilapia breeding centre for Blue Future Holding, after its existing hubs in Norway and the Philippines. The company’s chairman, Odd Magne Rodseth, said Sarawak’s natural resources and strategic location make it an ideal base for sustainable aquaculture growth.
Also present at the signing were Deputy Minister Datuk Martin Ben, Advisor to the Premier’s Office Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, and Sarawak Agriculture Office Director Dominic Chunggat.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen food security, reduce reliance on imports, and create a sustainable aquaculture ecosystem that benefits both local communities and the wider economy.
