MOA to launch ‘seaweed splash’ programme in Semporna

SEMPORNA: The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry ( MOA) is launching a ‘Seaweed Splash’ programme aimed at enhancing the country’s seaweed industry here in August this year.

The ministry’s deputy secretarygeneral ( Development), Badrul Hisham Mohd said the programme would be launched in Semporna which has high-value seaweed with potential to be developed for various purposes, including cosmetics, medicine, animal feed and fertiliser.

“Currently, the world seaweed trade is valued at US$ 23 billion and MOA is looking at this as an opportunity to develop this industry with the product abundant in the country, especially in Semporna, which is the country’s largest producer of seaweed.

“Semporna also has many industry players, comprising 1,400 individuals and 10 companies, as well as several mini- estates involved in the industry,” he told reporters after a briefing on the programme to residents of Kampung Lok Butun and Kampung Gelam Gelam here.

Badrul Hisham said the briefing was held to obtain ideas from industry players to enhance as well as to get their commitment to develop the industry.

On quarters manipulating the price of seaweed, he said the ministry had drawn up several measures to resolve the problem, including building a seaweed factory in Semporna. — Bernama