KUALA BERANG: Hit hard by the pandemic, a group of 15 second-generation Felda settlers of Bukit Bading here has transformed a former haunt for drug addicts into a freshwater fish farm.

       They started the project in March last year after getting together and raising capital for it.

       Azhar Ismail, the project leader, said the idea came from the first-generation Felda settlers but it was not realised because of certain constraints.

       His group, however, were determined to make it work as a source of supplemental income despite none of them having any training or experience in freshwater fish farming.

       “Most of us are self-employed and the Covid-19 pandemic has affected our main source of income,” Azhar said.

       He thanked Hulu Terengganu MP Datuk Rosol Wahid and Ajil assemblyman Maliaman Kassim for providing them with the financial assistance for the project.

       Azhar was met by reporters after a visit by Rosol to the farm, where he released 9,000 tilapia and patin fish fry into the pond on Saturday.

       He said they had so far spent RM12,000 to build nine fish cages and aimed to build 20 cages more in stages.

       He hoped the project would generate a lucrative income for them with the first harvest next February.

       A participant, Khairi Muhammad, 41, a self-employed electrician, said he joined the project to diversify his source of income.

       “We are lucky to have received guidance from the Fisheries Department on the proper techniques of handling a fish farm, like in the aspect of water quality,” he said.

       As for Ramli Ngah, 55, he hoped the fish farming project would inspire other second-generation Felda settlers to venture into other economic activities to upgrade their socio-economic status. — Bernama