Tarat Agriculture Station To Be Upgraded

KUCHING, June 26 (Bernama) -- The Tarat Agriculture Station, which undertakes research and development (R&D) on the breeding of the costly Empurau fish, should be developed into a national research centre, said Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

He said he would propose that the station be upgraded into a National Centre for River Resources and Research under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

He said the ministry would assess the RM1 million short-term funding programme to improve the collection of natural broodstock of the Empurau fish and to forge research cooperation between the Tarat Agriculture Station and local and international universities and institutions.

In this context, he suggested that the Tarat Agriculture Station come up with a Master Plan for the development of the national centre for consideration by the government under the 10MP.

"I hope a committee would be formed to prepare the Master Plan for this purpose," he told reporters during a visit to the station, here Saturday.

The Empurau fish or 'Ikan Kelah' bred at the station could reach a weight of at least 3kg each with a selling price of about RM450 per kilogram.