MATU: A sum of RM622,000 has been set aside for 311 qualified fishermen from Jemoreng to buy new fishing gear this year.
The amount is from the total allocation of RM20 million given statewide for the purpose by the state government.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah announced this when launching the Community Extension Outreach Programme (CEOP) of the state Agriculture Department for the district here today (August 18).
Joining him for the occasion were Jemoreng state assemblyman Dr Juanda Jaya, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development Edwin Abit and the Agriculture Department director Dr Alvin Chai.
Uggah said each fisherman would receive RM2,000. The payment was expected to be made beginning this September.
On the other hand, he said some 171 coastal fishermen, also from Jemoreng, had benefitted from the landas season relief aid.
He said the aid totalling RM153,900 had been paid from January to March this year.
“The next payment of RM102,600 will be paid to them again during the next round of the landas season from November to December.
Uggah, who is the Minister of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development, said his ministry was now planning for income generating activities that the fishermen could undertake during their off-fishing season.
“We plan for them to go into modern farming systems like fertigation and hydroponics.
“We will organise exhibition to introduce and promote them here,” he said.
He said it was the objective of the government to help fishermen and farmers in the state to obtain regular income or to increase their income.
