WHILE PENANG IS one of the smallest states in size, it is now the largest in terms of aquaculture production, with an annual output of 68 million kilograms of seafood. This translates to an annual wholesale value nearing RM1.5bil—another feather in the state’s economy.
There is more room underwater for aquatic growth.
Fahmi Zainol, the EXCO who oversees agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development says the potential for growth is bright because Penang plans to digitalise aquaculture; a digitalised system would allow farmers or fishermen to carefully plan their catches.
While the state will now also need to take into account the ill effects of the new and evolving tariff percentages imposed on Malaysian imports by the US, Fahmi says that a thriving farming and fisheries sector will help consolidate food security and subdue inflation.
