Agrobank Cultivates Interest In Fisheries Among Neurodiverse Student Community Using Biofloc Techonology

SERDANG, 17 SEPTEMBER 2024 – Agrobank today empowered the neurodiverse student community by launching the Agrobank Aquaculture Aspire Program in collaboration with Ministry of Education. This program targets students from 10 selected schools from Program Vokasional Menengah Atas (PVMA) and Special Education Integration Programme (PPKI) across the country.

According to Agrobank’s President/Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, “This Aquaculture Program was introduced to benefit approximately 100 neurodiverse students, in addition to instilling and fostering appreciation for aquaculture practices and principles with an allocation of RM110,000.00 to successfully implement this aquaculture education concept program.”

“Agrobank is collaborating with ARC Berkat Agro Food Sdn Bhd (ARC), a local freshwater fish seed producer, supplying Catfish and Tilapia seeds. As such, the participating schools will be provided with biofloc sets for the implementation of this program. The supplier company will provide guidance and training in terms of care and technical aspects of the biofloc system, where typically these fish will take two (2) to three (3) months to mature before they can be sold.”

“This initiative is organised in line with the National Food Security Policy 2021-2025, where Agrobank prepares the younger generation as successors in facing the challenges of the agro industry and as catalysts for national food security,” he added.

The implementation of biofloc technology plays a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability within aquaculture systems. This approach significantly reduces water consumption in fish farming operations while enhancing water quality parameters. Consequently, it creates a more optimal and biosecure environment for fish cultivation and reproduction.

The program’s focus on Tilapia species is strategic, given its adaptability to local climatic conditions and its strong market demand in the aquaculture sector. Through this initiative, Agrobank reaffirms its commitment to ensuring equitable access to specialized education for neurodiverse students, while also showcasing their unique capabilities in the field of aquaculture.

The event was attended by Dato’ Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, President/Chief Executive Officer of Agrobank, Dr. Shah Jahan bin Assanarkutty, Senior Deputy Director of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Division, and Dr. Mohd Anuar bin Abdullah, Deputy Director of the Special Education Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia.