Pekan: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Saturday the Government would use a new approach in tackling hardcore poverty by focusing on programmes or high technology projects that are capable of providing income to the hardcore poor.The Deputy Prime Minister said the new approach was necessary as the previous ones were not effective in tackling the problem due to a number of reasons.
"Fishermen in the east coast, for instance, are not able to earn income for up to three months during the monsoon season," he told reporters after officiating the Fish Protech high technology aquaculture project in Kuala Pahang.
Najib said assistance in the form of fishing nets or boats, therefore, would not be effective in freeing the group from the clutches of poverty.
The modern aquaculture project might be the answer, he said, as it could generate income for the fishermen compared to the traditional aquaculture projects.
The 4ha project is being developed by Majuikan Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM), and expected to involve 300 participants from fishermen in the area.
The Fish Protech technology is designed to maximise control on all aspects of the indoor aquaculture operation and equipped with efficient water cycling, treatment and filtering system.
Najib hoped more people would participate in the project as the technology, which was developed in Australia, had been proven to be successful.
"Majuikan modified the technology for use in the country. The success of the project will depend on the participation among fishermen. They should also be disciplined in their work," he said.
Meanwhile, Agriculture and Agro-Based Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said the project would be expanded to other states starting with Johor, Kedah and Kelantan.
"We will then evaluate the project before expanding it to several more states," he said.- Bernama
