PHNOM PENH, Aug 13 (NNN-AKP) – Cambodia inaugurated the Upper Mekong Aquatic Animal Production and Research Centre, in the north-eastern Stung Treng province, said a news release, from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The 1.75-million-U.S.-dollar centre, funded by a World Bank loan and a contribution from the government, was developed on a parcel of 10 hectares in Sesan district, the news release said, adding, construction of the centre started in Oct, 2020, and was completed in Sept, 2021.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Veng Sakhon said, the centre is essential to develop aquaculture in the northern part of the country.
He added that, the centre will play an important role in ensuring food security, through fish farming and aquaculture, to supply local and export markets.
“The centre will play a role in the production and promotion of aquatic species, and it will be a venue for training, breeding and raising techniques and conserving aquatic species,” Sakhon said. “It will also improve efficiency of the management of fishery resources in the upper Mekong River.”
World Bank country manager for Cambodia, Maryam Salim, said, the centre is the first regional research and hatchery centre for Cambodia, based in the upper Mekong province.
“The centre will produce three million fingerlings a year and provide better services to fish farmers,” she said at the event. “In addition, the centre will also become an important research and innovation hub for local and international researchers, on the high value fish species.”
Poum Sotha, director-general of the Fisheries Administration, said, the centre has 24 ponds, including one large water storage pond, 12 young fry ponds, four ponds for fattening fish, six for breeding and one for wastewater treatment.
There are also facilities for administration, research and laboratory, aquaculture, training, and fish breeding, hatchery and rearing, he said.– NNN-AKP
