Dept receives RM811,000 fund for development of fishing community
KUCHING: The Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department has received an allocation of RM811,000 from the government recently for their Food Security Fund (DJM) project which is under the supervision of the department’s Technology Development and Transfer Branch.
This was revealed by the department’s head of Technology Transfer Development Branch, Lindy Enggong, who said the DJM was set up to help fishermen throughout Sarawak - from the districts of Sematan to Lawas.
“Of that amount, RM273,070.40 is allocated for the development of DJM Project participants in the districts under the supervision of the Regional Fisheries Office 1 of this department which covers the areas from Sematan to Kabong,” he said during an event held at the department’s Regional Fisheries Office 1 building yesterday.
Lindy added that, among others, the reason for establishing the DJM is to increase the production and productivity of the agro-food sector to achieve self-sufficiency, ensuring that agricultural entrepreneurs get a decent income and ensuring food production does not decrease.
Besides that, the objective is also to ensure that there is adequate supply of quality food that is ready to eat.
In addition, due to the need to help increase production and improve the economic status of fishing family households, the Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department has for 2021 channelled an allocation for the procurement of equipment under the DJM as well, he said.
“Previously, we handed over equipment assistance to the department’s Sematan Fisheries District involving an allocation of RM75,754.90 on Oct 28 this year and the Sebuyau Fisheries District involving an allocation of RM64,825.30 on Oct 25, this year,” he said.
The Santubong Fisheries District received equipment assistance from the department during the event yesterday, worth RM91,814.30 from the Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department under the DJM.
“Of that amount (for the Santubong Fisheries District), RM29,582 will be channelled to the Kampung Salak Fisheries myKomuniti, RM41,815.35 to the Kampung Buntal Fisheries Community and RM20,416.95 to the Kampung Bako Fisheries Community,” he said.
He also revealed that the Santubong Fisheries District, the Sadong Jaya and Kabong Fisheries Districts will get their equipment assistance from the department soon.
The establishment of DJM and the various assistances given to fishermen in the state proved that the government had always listened to the complaints of the target groups and tried its best to help in the best possible way, Lindy added.
“The government has agencies that can channel the assistance needed by the target group such as advisory services, technical assistance, equipment to help increase production, courses and many more, in accordance with the role and function of the relevant agencies,” he said.