AQUACAGE SEMERAK: EMPOWERING RURAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH CAGE FISH FARMING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJEMP.935032Keywords:
Aquaculture, Cage Fish Farming, Community-Based Entrepreneurship, Community Training, Rural LivelihoodsAbstract
Community-based aquaculture may strengthen rural livelihoods through technical capacity and alternative income opportunities. AquaCage Semerak is a cage-farming training programme for residents of Semerak, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan. Although earlier studies have addressed aquaculture production and rural livelihoods, limited attention has been given to rural Malaysian programmes integrating hands-on training, assigned follow-up monitoring and entrepreneurship preparation. This qualitative case study used semi-structured interviews, programme observation, document analysis and evaluation records. It involved 25 participants: 8 local residents, 15 community representatives, 5 facilitators or trainers and 2 aquaculture stakeholders. Thematic analysis generated five themes: technical knowledge development, experiential learning, follow-up monitoring, perceived income opportunities and sustainability challenges. Participants reported exposure to cage construction, fish husbandry, feeding and routine monitoring, supported by observations of practical activities. Project facilitators monitored technical application during training and early implementation. Because no pre- and post-assessment or longitudinal income measurement was reported, the findings indicate perceived learning and livelihood potential rather than verified causal improvement. AquaCage Semerak may therefore be considered a promising community-based aquaculture model requiring further evaluation.
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