KUALA BERANG: Formerly a haunt for drug addicts, the place has changed and turned into a freshwater fish farm by a group of 15 second generation Felda settlers of Bukit Bading here.

They got together and raised funds for use as capital for the project, which they started in March last year.

The leader, Azhar Ismail said the project was initially an idea by the first generation Felda settlers, but it could not be implemented due to some constraints.

"Although we have no training or experience in freshwater fish farming, we are determined to make it work as a source of our supplemental income.

"The reason being that most of us are self-employed and the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our main source of income," he said and thanked Hulu Terengganu Member of Parliament 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, yesterday.

Azhar 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 lucrative income for them with the first harvest scheduled in February next year.

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

"We are lucky to have received guidance from the Fisheries Department on proper techniques in handling fish farm, like on the 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-economy.

"In my case, I have been working in an oil palm plantation, no experience to do something else, but by working together, we are able to carry out the project smoothly.

"However, it is important for there to be understanding among all participants involved," he added.

Meanwhile, Rosol said he had channeled aid of RM5,000 for the project and called on other second generation of Felda settlers to find ways to improve their socio-economic standard.

-- BERNAMA