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UMT-industry partnership needed to overcome nation’s food issues

UMT-industry partnership needed to overcome nation’s food issues

Saturday, 29/10/2022

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Population increase has led to food stock issues. These do not involve only certain countries, but the issues have occurred worldwide.

Malaysia is not excepted from the food crisis hitting the world. Although the country is a producer of specific food, it is unable to meet the increasing demand each year and is reliant on other exporting countries.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has been given the mandate to conduct research on food supply chain and food security.

The establishment of the Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP) in 2004 has had impacts in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. AKUATROP serves as the main research centre that provides expert services and the best facilities in the country.

The research carried out focuses on the issue of food sufficiency and resource sustainability through conservation of high-value population that is being overly exploited to the point of disrupting the natural stock breeding. The species include crabs, prawns, and freshwater fish, which are bred and subsequently released into the waters.

Participation from the industry is important to support the supply and demand ecosystem of the country’s food stock. Various knowledge sharing and partnership programmes have been organized by AKUATROP researchers to help the aquafarming industry players, and these programmes include developing parent fish, breeding methods, and new food formulations that are more efficient and will stabilize the market prices.

The close relationship between UMT and the industry has been further maintained with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UMT and Ain Aquaculture Sdn. Bhd, an industry player renowned in the field of marine aquaculture and fisheries.

The partnership with the company specializing in the hatching and breeding of marine fish is part of UMT’s strategic efforts to ensure the food supply chain will be under control.

UMT Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim said AKUATROP has played an important role in line with the recognition it has received.

“The fisheries and aquaculture sector has an important role to play in the economic development of many countries,” he said.

“Farming and aquaculture are the main contributors to the food supply and sources of employment, and this sector has provided opportunities for the people especially the coastal communities in the region to generate incomes.

“We are facing great challenges, which include meeting the demand that is ever increasing and overcoming the issues regarding food security.

“As there are only so many fishes to catch in traditional fishery, the aquaculture industry is an alternative that may help meet the challenge,” he said during the signing ceremony at UMT recently.

AKUATROP has been recognized as a Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) under the Research and Innovation Thrust to support the Nation’s Food Security Policy under the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.

Among the programmes given emphasis by AKUATROP following the recognition are Aquaculture Resource Sustainability, Aquaculture Breeding Technology, Aquaculture Green Technology, and Fish Health and Food Quality Assurance.

 

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Corporate Communications Office
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu