Government proposes seaweed processing factory in Semporna

The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry is proposing to build a seaweed processing factory in this district to overcome the manipulation of prices by a factory.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said currently, the factory buys seaweed at a low price and this is a challenge to seaweed farmers to market their produce.

He said the government had taken note of the problem in line with the government's move to expand seaweed cultivation in this district.

"The proposal to build the factory will be incorporated under the 11th Malaysia Plan and will be given top priority," Ismail Sabri told a media conference after opening the Semporna branch Agrobank and appointment of Agro agents in the state, Sunday.

He had earlier visited the Seaweed Agro Tourism project at Pulau Ligit-Ligitan near Semporna.

The project which began in 2011, involved 25 participants growing seaweed in a 150-hectare marine site.