Brunei Identifies 3,000ha Of Land For Padi Cultivation
By Sonia K.
Bandar Seri Begawan - The Department of Agriculture has identified low lands that have potential to be developed into large-scale padi fields such as a 1000ha field in Piasau Piasau, 1000ha in Limau Manis and 1000ha in Labi Baru.
According to rice production trends from the year 1998-2007, the local rice production has increased yearly with 982.9 metric tonnes (mt) of rice produced last year in fields throughout the country.
Following the programme to increase padi production, Brunei's short-term target for 2010 is to increase local rice production to 20 per cent of the country's self-sufficiency rate. However, by 2015, the country is targeting to increase local rice production to the level of 60 per cent.
These plans were revealed during His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office working visit yesterday to the padi plantation area in Kampong Wasan.
The Agricultural Department under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources provided information that showed critical factors that promise the increase in local rice production have
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been identified and can be achieved through opening new padi fields, improving infrastructure of the fields and by using high yielding varieties of padi that are not photoperiod-sensitive.
High yield varieties of padi have been arranged for the padi field in the Brunei-Muara, Belait and Temburong Districts. This is estimated to cost $50million.
In the Tutong District, planting local rice such as Pusu, Bario and Adan will be continued.
In addition to efforts on improving the agronomy field businesses, developing and improving farmers and their workers' abilities, the establishment of a Rice Research Centre as well as improvements in plantation technology will be continued.
According to statistics from the Agriculture Department, in 2007, the quantity of rice needed for the residents of Brunei. Darussalam was 31,242mt, which was estimated to have been worth B$37.05 million.
The total usage per capita is estimated at 80.1kg per person every year.
Currently, the production of local rice at 982.9mt is only 3.15 per cent self-sufficient and is estimated to be worth B$2.86 million. Currently, the total number of farmers working in all four districts is 1,233 and the total farm area is 1,354ha.
This means that the average production a hectare is 0 .7mt/ha.
A huge quantity of rice needed for Brunei's consumption is imported — 29,252mt worth $34.19 million.
The total farming area of Wasan and Bebuloh is 310.5ha with 257 farmers. These fields produce 224mt of rice.
In the Tutong District, most of the padi fields are located in Mukim Rambai. It covers an area of 191.57ha and has 273 farmers. Last season the fields produced 149.7mt of rice.
The Belait District currently has the largest padi field in Brunei covering an area of 469.1ha. It has 349 farmers and it produced 344.7mt of rice for the country's consumption.
Temburong District has padi fields located in LekiunPerdayan, Senukoh and Selapon covering 382.4ha. The fields have a total of 354 farmers and produced 264.5mt of rice last season.
According to M1PR, the development of infrastructure needs to be improved. Other areas that need improvement to boost rice production include agronomy field management, farmers' skills, agricultural staff, the establishment of Rice Research Centre, as well as the improvement of estate technology and "Lepastuai".
The implementation target for the rice production development programme is to boost the production to 20 per cent, which is 6,000mt of rice from 2,783ha by the year 2010 and to improve production to 60 per cent by 2015.
The implementation plan has two aspects, infrastructure at the present area and the variety exchange of the proposed fields.
The infrastructure development will begin in 2009 and is expected to end in mid-2010 and the variety exchange will be implemented after the cultivation season of 2008/2009, which is mid-2009 until mid-2010. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
Related News: 2010 Plan Target: 20 Per Cent Increase In Rice Production
Showing posts with label agriculture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label agriculture. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Key to achieving economies of scale to reduce costs, compete globally
Cooperate, advice to shrimp farmers
UBAIDILLAH MASLI
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Key to achieving economies of scale to reduce costs, compete globally
SHRIMP farmers must cooperate to reduce fragmentation and improve the efficiency of the industry in order to expand and reach economies of scale, said the director of the Fisheries Department.
Hjh Hasnah Ibrahim made the call to local shrimp culture operators yesterday in response to the article, "Realising potential of local shrimp industry," published by The Brunei Times on November 8, 2008.
For local farmers to compete in the global shrimp farming sector, it is necessary for farmers to implement a profitable production model based on a niche product that commands premium prices, the director said in a letter to The Brunei Times.
"They must also implement more efficient production technologies that reduce costs and leverage (on) the strengths of Brunei: a well educated and bilingual workforce, excellent infrastructure and low energy costs," she added.
The Fisheries Department acknowledged the causes of the competitive disadvantages faced by the country's shrimp farmers was the switch in production of Rostris (Litopenaeus stylirostris) from a similar shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, but said that there were other factors involved which needed to be considered.
With most of the world shrimp farmers opting for the vannamei, this particular shrimp has become a low-price commodity as result of oversupply and disproportionate drop in price for the small-sized shrimp. Therefore, only low-cost producers were willing to produce large volumes, while experiencing thin profit margins so that they were able to compete in the market via the vannamei.
"This is not a good fit for Brunei," Hjh Hasnah said.
According to the department, Brunei produced less than 1,000 tonnes of shrimp annually, equivalent to less than one per cent of shrimp production of many competing countries. The director said that the lack of economies of scale in the local industry resulted in higher costs of feed and post-larvae.
She went on to say that although Brunei enjoyed lower energy costs than most competing countries, this only made up a small component of the overall operating costs.
Due to underlying factors such as high labour costs, the key issue still remained: "Brunei has higher costs of production than other shrimp farming countries in the region".
As these difficulties have grown, Brunei shrimp farmers have "retreated" from the highly competitive export markets and focused more on the local markets, which have also succumbed to the threat of vannamei, as more of this cheaper variety of shrimp are being imported into Brunei.
The department felt that the answer to the problem was not competing "head-on" with the low-priced commodity but, rather, to restructure the farming sector to reduce costs and generate high-value products.
In this effort, the Fisheries Department in a three-year agreement with US company, Integrated Aquaculture International (IAI), implemented plans to introduce the black tiger shrimp over the past two years. The shrimp, which is also known as the Penaeus monodon, could grow to a much larger size than the other two types of shrimp and could command higher prices in international markets.
However, the monodon had to be selectively bred over several shrimp generations to combat their susceptibility to disease and thus, generating a specific pathogen free (SPF) stock.
The director said that the programme was well under way and the F2 generation of SPF monodon has already been developed.
With the plans to build the Telisai Phase II farm expansion, Brunei's shrimp production could see an increase to 2,000 metric tonnes per year.
This target productivity could achieve the required economies of scale in feed, post-larvae, processing and marketing, the director said.
Apart from their cooperation in developing SPF shrimp, IAI also worked with the department in genetically-improved post-larvae, high-performing feeds, and sustainable farming systems and techniques aimed to produce quality shrimp for premium markets.
"We are hopeful that the new business model will grow, prosper and lead to other high-value spin-offs that will benefit Brunei for years to come," said Hjh Hasnah.
In an interview with a local shrimp farmer, Hj Nasrul Hakim Hj Othman of S Kota Sdn Bhd told The Brunei Times that at present, there was no particular organisation which unites the 13 local shrimp culturers.
However, he said that, under their own initiative, the farmers did meet and work together to collect data and discuss issues faced by the farmers to present to the Fisheries Department.
Hj Nasrul Hakim welcomed the formation of such an organisation but wished the department would emphasise the idea to all the farmers directly on the significance of this cooperation.
The Brunei Times
UBAIDILLAH MASLI
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Key to achieving economies of scale to reduce costs, compete globally
SHRIMP farmers must cooperate to reduce fragmentation and improve the efficiency of the industry in order to expand and reach economies of scale, said the director of the Fisheries Department.
Hjh Hasnah Ibrahim made the call to local shrimp culture operators yesterday in response to the article, "Realising potential of local shrimp industry," published by The Brunei Times on November 8, 2008.
For local farmers to compete in the global shrimp farming sector, it is necessary for farmers to implement a profitable production model based on a niche product that commands premium prices, the director said in a letter to The Brunei Times.
"They must also implement more efficient production technologies that reduce costs and leverage (on) the strengths of Brunei: a well educated and bilingual workforce, excellent infrastructure and low energy costs," she added.
The Fisheries Department acknowledged the causes of the competitive disadvantages faced by the country's shrimp farmers was the switch in production of Rostris (Litopenaeus stylirostris) from a similar shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, but said that there were other factors involved which needed to be considered.
With most of the world shrimp farmers opting for the vannamei, this particular shrimp has become a low-price commodity as result of oversupply and disproportionate drop in price for the small-sized shrimp. Therefore, only low-cost producers were willing to produce large volumes, while experiencing thin profit margins so that they were able to compete in the market via the vannamei.
"This is not a good fit for Brunei," Hjh Hasnah said.
According to the department, Brunei produced less than 1,000 tonnes of shrimp annually, equivalent to less than one per cent of shrimp production of many competing countries. The director said that the lack of economies of scale in the local industry resulted in higher costs of feed and post-larvae.
She went on to say that although Brunei enjoyed lower energy costs than most competing countries, this only made up a small component of the overall operating costs.
Due to underlying factors such as high labour costs, the key issue still remained: "Brunei has higher costs of production than other shrimp farming countries in the region".
As these difficulties have grown, Brunei shrimp farmers have "retreated" from the highly competitive export markets and focused more on the local markets, which have also succumbed to the threat of vannamei, as more of this cheaper variety of shrimp are being imported into Brunei.
The department felt that the answer to the problem was not competing "head-on" with the low-priced commodity but, rather, to restructure the farming sector to reduce costs and generate high-value products.
In this effort, the Fisheries Department in a three-year agreement with US company, Integrated Aquaculture International (IAI), implemented plans to introduce the black tiger shrimp over the past two years. The shrimp, which is also known as the Penaeus monodon, could grow to a much larger size than the other two types of shrimp and could command higher prices in international markets.
However, the monodon had to be selectively bred over several shrimp generations to combat their susceptibility to disease and thus, generating a specific pathogen free (SPF) stock.
The director said that the programme was well under way and the F2 generation of SPF monodon has already been developed.
With the plans to build the Telisai Phase II farm expansion, Brunei's shrimp production could see an increase to 2,000 metric tonnes per year.
This target productivity could achieve the required economies of scale in feed, post-larvae, processing and marketing, the director said.
Apart from their cooperation in developing SPF shrimp, IAI also worked with the department in genetically-improved post-larvae, high-performing feeds, and sustainable farming systems and techniques aimed to produce quality shrimp for premium markets.
"We are hopeful that the new business model will grow, prosper and lead to other high-value spin-offs that will benefit Brunei for years to come," said Hjh Hasnah.
In an interview with a local shrimp farmer, Hj Nasrul Hakim Hj Othman of S Kota Sdn Bhd told The Brunei Times that at present, there was no particular organisation which unites the 13 local shrimp culturers.
However, he said that, under their own initiative, the farmers did meet and work together to collect data and discuss issues faced by the farmers to present to the Fisheries Department.
Hj Nasrul Hakim welcomed the formation of such an organisation but wished the department would emphasise the idea to all the farmers directly on the significance of this cooperation.
The Brunei Times
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Realising potential of local shrimp industry Shrimp farmers in Brunei currently facing uphill battle to survive
Realising potential of local shrimp industry Shrimp farmers in Brunei currently facing uphill battle to survive
Fresh shrimps: Vendor at Gadong fish market showing his fresh prawns. Picture: The Brunei Times
IZAM SAID YA'AKUB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, November 8, 2008
DESPITE the efforts to bolster the aquaculture industry here in Brunei Darussalam, the local shrimp farming industry is having great difficulty in blossoming.
"It could be a matter of months, if not years, before some of our companies will fold," says Hj Nasrul Hakim, who helps operate a family business that has been farming shrimp for 13 years now.
The major difficulties encountered by the local shrimp farmers here is that since having been advised to culture a different species of shrimp, the previous species have come back to haunt the industry, which is thought to be less suitable locally and abroad for culturing and export.
Previously the local shrimp industry had moved from culturing Vanna Mei shrimp, which is easily found for sale in local markets here in Brunei because of its high yield from the harvests. According to local shrimp farmers here in Brunei, almost eight to 10 tonnes of Vanna Mei is imported here into Brunei every 10 days.
Shrimps, are susceptible to diseases, which either stunt the growth of the said shrimps or see them develop with deformities. As they are animals without sophisticated immune systems, diseases can spread through whole shrimp farms. However the most pressing aspect is that a shrimp infected by disease could be ingested by birds, which then spread the disease when travelling to other shrimp farms or feeding grounds, threatening the entire industry.
The move to Rostiris shrimp, was thought to be the way forward, a shrimp which is larger, less susceptible to disease and considered to be in greater demand among eateries and restaurants. However the costs involved meant that prices are higher.
At this point in time though the shrimp farmers, after having switched to the culturing of Rostiris, have discovered that yields are significantly less. "From 150,000 fries yields of up to two tonnes can be expected," said a local shrimp farmer who spoke on condition of anonymity. "With the previous shrimp (Vanna Mei) we could get up to four tonnes."
Judging by the complaints from shrimp farmers, attempts to cater for the export market have meant that competitiveness within the local market has come at a steep price.
During a quick trip to the Gadong wet markets The Brunei Times saw that prices for a kilo of imported Vanna Mei shrimp was $4, whereas the shrimp cultured locally in Brunei was priced at $10. "We are forced to lower our price and sell at a loss, because if we do not, the shrimp will go rotten," said the local shrimp farmer. Cutting their losses is only the tip of the iceberg, with many of the shrimp farmers finding it hard coming to grips with the extremely low price of imported shrimp.
"We know now that it is not illegal for them to import the shrimp, but asking us to culture a shrimp which is more expensive to our clients and difficult to sell could see the collapse of the whole industry," said Hj Nasrul Hakim.
Meanwhile the anticipated arrival of a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Black Tiger shrimp, which is also known as Penaeus Monodon, being bred in Brunei has been met with scepticism from the members of the shrimp farming community here in Brunei Darussalam.
During the 6th Aquaculture Seminar organised by the Fisheries Department in March 2008, the local shrimp industry was informed that the SPF process was nearly complete with genetically improved post-larvae available in the last quarter of 2008.
The three-year project which has seen the Department of Fisheries and Integrated Aquaculture International develop advanced aquaculture technology to produce large black tiger shrimp for export. These stocks of black tiger shrimp have been established and moved from primary quarantine to secondary quarantine toward potential SPF status. Once established, the breeding of SPF black tiger shrimp will be set to begin, marking a new chapter in the history of Brunei's fairly infant shrimp industry.
The approach is such that Brunei can carve a niche for itself in international high value seafood markets. The shrimps, which have been aimed at reaching 40gm per individual shrimp, will be aimed at exports but could easily satisfy the local market.
However one critical aspect which needs to be addressed is the fact that the production in Brunei Darussalam in itself is fragmented. To fulfil export demands, Brunei will need to find appropriate buyers that can be satisfied by the production from the Sultanate's infant shrimp industry. For the most part, the 13 shrimp farms will need to combine their production to achieve the numbers that are generally demanded by foreign markets.
Shrimp farmers face high costs for post-larvae, feed and labour, making it a challenge to compete on price with shrimps constantly being brought in to cater for Brunei's price sensitive consumption. Exports will therefore need to target a different market.
The Monodon could prove to be a winner, due to being a larger shrimp and even popular locally.
Yet in order to be successful in its endeavours abroad, the Brunei Monodon will need to be marketed appropriately, with HACCP and EU certifications in place.
While the race is on for Brunei's shrimp industry to find a way to become competitive against the imported Vanna Mei, the local industry itself needs to be convinced that the new Monodon shrimp is the right produce for their farms.
The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources in 2006 underscored the potential of Brunei's fisheries sector, which could achieve total receipts of $400 million in 2023.
From this forecast it has been widely projected that $200 million could come from aquaculture, with a further $113 million from prawn breeding. Last year the production achieved by Brunei's local shrimp industry surpassed 573 tonnes — 374.79 tonnes were shipped abroad in 2006.
(With additional reporting by Ubaidillah Masli)
The Brunei Times
Fresh shrimps: Vendor at Gadong fish market showing his fresh prawns. Picture: The Brunei Times
IZAM SAID YA'AKUB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, November 8, 2008
DESPITE the efforts to bolster the aquaculture industry here in Brunei Darussalam, the local shrimp farming industry is having great difficulty in blossoming.
"It could be a matter of months, if not years, before some of our companies will fold," says Hj Nasrul Hakim, who helps operate a family business that has been farming shrimp for 13 years now.
The major difficulties encountered by the local shrimp farmers here is that since having been advised to culture a different species of shrimp, the previous species have come back to haunt the industry, which is thought to be less suitable locally and abroad for culturing and export.
Previously the local shrimp industry had moved from culturing Vanna Mei shrimp, which is easily found for sale in local markets here in Brunei because of its high yield from the harvests. According to local shrimp farmers here in Brunei, almost eight to 10 tonnes of Vanna Mei is imported here into Brunei every 10 days.
Shrimps, are susceptible to diseases, which either stunt the growth of the said shrimps or see them develop with deformities. As they are animals without sophisticated immune systems, diseases can spread through whole shrimp farms. However the most pressing aspect is that a shrimp infected by disease could be ingested by birds, which then spread the disease when travelling to other shrimp farms or feeding grounds, threatening the entire industry.
The move to Rostiris shrimp, was thought to be the way forward, a shrimp which is larger, less susceptible to disease and considered to be in greater demand among eateries and restaurants. However the costs involved meant that prices are higher.
At this point in time though the shrimp farmers, after having switched to the culturing of Rostiris, have discovered that yields are significantly less. "From 150,000 fries yields of up to two tonnes can be expected," said a local shrimp farmer who spoke on condition of anonymity. "With the previous shrimp (Vanna Mei) we could get up to four tonnes."
Judging by the complaints from shrimp farmers, attempts to cater for the export market have meant that competitiveness within the local market has come at a steep price.
During a quick trip to the Gadong wet markets The Brunei Times saw that prices for a kilo of imported Vanna Mei shrimp was $4, whereas the shrimp cultured locally in Brunei was priced at $10. "We are forced to lower our price and sell at a loss, because if we do not, the shrimp will go rotten," said the local shrimp farmer. Cutting their losses is only the tip of the iceberg, with many of the shrimp farmers finding it hard coming to grips with the extremely low price of imported shrimp.
"We know now that it is not illegal for them to import the shrimp, but asking us to culture a shrimp which is more expensive to our clients and difficult to sell could see the collapse of the whole industry," said Hj Nasrul Hakim.
Meanwhile the anticipated arrival of a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Black Tiger shrimp, which is also known as Penaeus Monodon, being bred in Brunei has been met with scepticism from the members of the shrimp farming community here in Brunei Darussalam.
During the 6th Aquaculture Seminar organised by the Fisheries Department in March 2008, the local shrimp industry was informed that the SPF process was nearly complete with genetically improved post-larvae available in the last quarter of 2008.
The three-year project which has seen the Department of Fisheries and Integrated Aquaculture International develop advanced aquaculture technology to produce large black tiger shrimp for export. These stocks of black tiger shrimp have been established and moved from primary quarantine to secondary quarantine toward potential SPF status. Once established, the breeding of SPF black tiger shrimp will be set to begin, marking a new chapter in the history of Brunei's fairly infant shrimp industry.
The approach is such that Brunei can carve a niche for itself in international high value seafood markets. The shrimps, which have been aimed at reaching 40gm per individual shrimp, will be aimed at exports but could easily satisfy the local market.
However one critical aspect which needs to be addressed is the fact that the production in Brunei Darussalam in itself is fragmented. To fulfil export demands, Brunei will need to find appropriate buyers that can be satisfied by the production from the Sultanate's infant shrimp industry. For the most part, the 13 shrimp farms will need to combine their production to achieve the numbers that are generally demanded by foreign markets.
Shrimp farmers face high costs for post-larvae, feed and labour, making it a challenge to compete on price with shrimps constantly being brought in to cater for Brunei's price sensitive consumption. Exports will therefore need to target a different market.
The Monodon could prove to be a winner, due to being a larger shrimp and even popular locally.
Yet in order to be successful in its endeavours abroad, the Brunei Monodon will need to be marketed appropriately, with HACCP and EU certifications in place.
While the race is on for Brunei's shrimp industry to find a way to become competitive against the imported Vanna Mei, the local industry itself needs to be convinced that the new Monodon shrimp is the right produce for their farms.
The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources in 2006 underscored the potential of Brunei's fisheries sector, which could achieve total receipts of $400 million in 2023.
From this forecast it has been widely projected that $200 million could come from aquaculture, with a further $113 million from prawn breeding. Last year the production achieved by Brunei's local shrimp industry surpassed 573 tonnes — 374.79 tonnes were shipped abroad in 2006.
(With additional reporting by Ubaidillah Masli)
The Brunei Times
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Boost rice production by commercialising sector
Boost rice production by commercialising sector
Bountiful harvest: The general manager of rice distributor Asia Enterprise said that if Brunei wants to enhance rice production, it should encourage local distributors to increase their yield. Picture: BT file
Adilah Ishak
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
BRUNEI needs to commercialise the production of rice if it is to increase rice production, according to the general manager of a local rice distribut0r.
Chai Yum Fatt from Asia Enterprise, which is the largest rice distributor in Brunei at present, added that the Agriculture Department should encourage local distributors to increase their yield towards boosting output.
Chai has been approached by the department to discuss the national need to cultivate more rice locally.
Recently, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in his birthday titah said Brunei can no longer depend on other countries to export rice given the rising prices of food.
Currently, Brunei imports 97 per cent of its rice from Thailand, and grows the rest locally.
Last Saturday, July 19, His Majesty visited the Asia Enterprise rice fields in Kuala Belait to get a first-hand look at the process of rice production.
The firm has 30 acres of land designated for rice cultivation. They are able to harvest three times a year with 38 tonnes per harvest.The next harvest will be on July 27.
According to Chai, he had applied for more land to cultivate rice but has yet to receive a positive response.
Besides big businesses like Asia Enterprise, small rice cultivators also play an important role in enhancing the local rice industry.
However, small-time cultivators have found their efforts to boost their rice production hampered by lack of assistance from the agriculture department.
For instance, Inche Said Hj Ahmad, a former member of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, has been cultivating rice since 2006. He specialises in beras pusu and sells the rice to friends and family as well as to the Agriculture Department.
However, he regularly faces problems with irrigation and pests. He has asked for help from the department, but received limited response.
Meanwhile, another rice cultivator who wished to remain anonymous said that she harvests her crops twice a year.
She has 35 acres of land reserved for rice plantation.
After His Majesty's titah, she hopes that the Agriculture Department will be more helpful in improving the harvest.
The agriculture department declined to comment on the issue. The Brunei Times
Bountiful harvest: The general manager of rice distributor Asia Enterprise said that if Brunei wants to enhance rice production, it should encourage local distributors to increase their yield. Picture: BT file
Adilah Ishak
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
BRUNEI needs to commercialise the production of rice if it is to increase rice production, according to the general manager of a local rice distribut0r.
Chai Yum Fatt from Asia Enterprise, which is the largest rice distributor in Brunei at present, added that the Agriculture Department should encourage local distributors to increase their yield towards boosting output.
Chai has been approached by the department to discuss the national need to cultivate more rice locally.
Recently, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in his birthday titah said Brunei can no longer depend on other countries to export rice given the rising prices of food.
Currently, Brunei imports 97 per cent of its rice from Thailand, and grows the rest locally.
Last Saturday, July 19, His Majesty visited the Asia Enterprise rice fields in Kuala Belait to get a first-hand look at the process of rice production.
The firm has 30 acres of land designated for rice cultivation. They are able to harvest three times a year with 38 tonnes per harvest.The next harvest will be on July 27.
According to Chai, he had applied for more land to cultivate rice but has yet to receive a positive response.
Besides big businesses like Asia Enterprise, small rice cultivators also play an important role in enhancing the local rice industry.
However, small-time cultivators have found their efforts to boost their rice production hampered by lack of assistance from the agriculture department.
For instance, Inche Said Hj Ahmad, a former member of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, has been cultivating rice since 2006. He specialises in beras pusu and sells the rice to friends and family as well as to the Agriculture Department.
However, he regularly faces problems with irrigation and pests. He has asked for help from the department, but received limited response.
Meanwhile, another rice cultivator who wished to remain anonymous said that she harvests her crops twice a year.
She has 35 acres of land reserved for rice plantation.
After His Majesty's titah, she hopes that the Agriculture Department will be more helpful in improving the harvest.
The agriculture department declined to comment on the issue. The Brunei Times
Monday, March 31, 2008
Monodon project to boost local shrimp industry
Monodon project to boost local shrimp industry
Into global market: A local fishmonger showing off his catch for sale. Picture: BT file photo
IZAM SAID YA'AKUB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, March 31, 2008
THE anticipated arrival of a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Black Tiger shrimp being bred in Brunei could carve a niche in international high value seafood markets.
During the Sixth Aquaculture Seminar organised by the Fisheries Department on Saturday, the local shrimp industry was informed that the SPF process is nearly complete with genetically improved post-larvae available in September.
Dr George Chamberlain, Technical Director of Integrated Aquaculture International (IAI) disclosed the information in his update of the three-year project which has seen the IAI develop advanced aquaculture technology to produce large black tiger shrimp for export.
Stocks of black tiger shrimp have been established and moved from primary quarantine to secondary quarantine toward potential SPF status.
Once established, the breeding of SPF black tiger shrimp will be set to begin, marking a new chapter in the history of Brunei's fairly infant shrimp industry.
The importance of the SPF black tiger shrimp, which is also known as Penaeus monodon, to Brunei shrimp industry revolves around the challenges faced by the local shrimp farmers.
High costs for post larvae, feed and labour, coupled with low international prices for shrimp means that for exports will need to target a different market.
During the seminar, Dr Chamberlain outlined that the industry needs to "produce large high value shrimp for the premium markets".
The Monodon is a larger shrimp and even locally is sought after, however despite being on the verge of something potentially big, Brunei will also need to convince the International market.
Plans to acquire Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and EU Certifications are also in the pipeline, with continuing contacts with large buyers in North America and participation in international seafood shows and markets are also ongoing to further develop the brand image of Brunei's shrimp.
The results of the venture between IAI and the Department of Fisheries are not mutually exclusive to specific-pathogen-free shrimp but also genetically-improved post-larvae, high-performing feeds, and sustainable farming systems and techniques aimed to produce quality shrimp for premium markets.
The Brunei Times
Into global market: A local fishmonger showing off his catch for sale. Picture: BT file photo
IZAM SAID YA'AKUB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, March 31, 2008
THE anticipated arrival of a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Black Tiger shrimp being bred in Brunei could carve a niche in international high value seafood markets.
During the Sixth Aquaculture Seminar organised by the Fisheries Department on Saturday, the local shrimp industry was informed that the SPF process is nearly complete with genetically improved post-larvae available in September.
Dr George Chamberlain, Technical Director of Integrated Aquaculture International (IAI) disclosed the information in his update of the three-year project which has seen the IAI develop advanced aquaculture technology to produce large black tiger shrimp for export.
Stocks of black tiger shrimp have been established and moved from primary quarantine to secondary quarantine toward potential SPF status.
Once established, the breeding of SPF black tiger shrimp will be set to begin, marking a new chapter in the history of Brunei's fairly infant shrimp industry.
The importance of the SPF black tiger shrimp, which is also known as Penaeus monodon, to Brunei shrimp industry revolves around the challenges faced by the local shrimp farmers.
High costs for post larvae, feed and labour, coupled with low international prices for shrimp means that for exports will need to target a different market.
During the seminar, Dr Chamberlain outlined that the industry needs to "produce large high value shrimp for the premium markets".
The Monodon is a larger shrimp and even locally is sought after, however despite being on the verge of something potentially big, Brunei will also need to convince the International market.
Plans to acquire Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and EU Certifications are also in the pipeline, with continuing contacts with large buyers in North America and participation in international seafood shows and markets are also ongoing to further develop the brand image of Brunei's shrimp.
The results of the venture between IAI and the Department of Fisheries are not mutually exclusive to specific-pathogen-free shrimp but also genetically-improved post-larvae, high-performing feeds, and sustainable farming systems and techniques aimed to produce quality shrimp for premium markets.
The Brunei Times
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