KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is expected to produce RM3 billion worth of white shrimp when four main prawn farms are fully operational by 2020.
Sabah Agriculture and Food Industries Assistant Minister Datuk Sairin Karno said the four farms are expected to produce 110,870 metric tonnes of white shrimp by 2020, contributing RM1.5 billion to the Gross National Income.
He said the farms, owned by four companies approved under the National Key Economic Areas, had invested RM1.12 billion in accordance with the conditions set by the government before pursuing the integrated development project.
They are Sunlight Inno Seafood Sdn Bhd (Pitas), KB Aquaculture (Kota Belud), Pegagau Aquaculture Sdn Bhd (Tawau), and QL Aquamarine Sdn Bhd (Kudat), he said when replying to Dr Edwin Jack Bosi (DAP-Kepayan) at the State Assembly here today.
KB Aquaculture is ready while three others are still at the implementation stage, he said, adding that the integrated project implementation through the National Blue Ocean Strategy and Blue Economy Approach would create 4,351 jobs for the local community.
Sairin said Sabah produced white shrimp worth RM321.08 million in 2014, up 38 per cent from 2013, while this year’s production is expected to reach 30,000 metric tonnes. -Bernama