TAMPARULI: BIMP-EAGA Business Council (Sabah) Chairman Dr Raymond Alfred claimed Topokon is set to become a hub for sustainable aquaculture with the launch of a community-led Blue Economy Farming Project focused on udang galah (giant freshwater prawn) cultivation.
The initiative, he said is a collaboration between Allyssa Certification Sdn Bhd and Nurfirdaus Mushroom Village, aims to boost rural economies through community-based aquaculture.
He said the project kicked off with the release of 500 juvenile prawns into the hatchery, marking the beginning of a sustainable freshwater aquaculture system designed to empower local residents with new economic opportunities recently in the area.
The Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), under the leadership of Associate Professor Dr. Ching Fui Fui, supports the initiative, ensuring that the project benefits from the latest research and sustainable practices.
Raymond Alfred emphasized the project’s role in fostering community empowerment through sustainable aquaculture practices.
“The Topokon Blue Economy project is designed to create a robust platform for economic growth, enabling local residents to learn and actively participate in sustainable aquaculture,” Raymond stated.
Addressing potential challenges in prawn farming, Raymond highlighted the importance of establishing a strong technical support network.
“Challenges in prawn farming, from water quality management to feed sustainability, are inevitable. Our solution is to establish a technical support network connecting experts, students, local communities, and supply chains to fortify Sabah’s Blue Economy ecosystem,” he explained.
Raymond also announced plans for a carbon stock and recreation project in Tenghilan (Kg Tinuhan), aimed at educating the community about carbon funding opportunities.
“This initiative will help the community understand the financial opportunities that come from protecting and managing forest and land carbon assets, “ he noted.
He also commented on the broader context of the National Blue Economy Framework launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) two years prior, noting the need for more government-led initiatives in Sabah.
“We hope the government will create structured programmes that assess on-ground realities and invite experts to collaborate directly with communities,” Raymond added.
“Only then can the Blue Economy agenda translate into real economic benefits for Sabahans.”
He said this pilot project in Topokon is expected to serve as a model for future Blue Economy initiatives across Sabah, integrating community participation, academic expertise, and sustainable resource management to drive economic growth and environmental stewardship.
