iSHARP (Integrated Shrimp Aquaculture Park) is an innovative approach to organize shrimp aquaculture production in a more effective manner. Located in Setiu, Terengganu, iSHARP Setiu encompasses an area totaling 1,000ha, to be developed into two phases; Phase 1 covering an area of 432 ha while Phase 2, another 568 ha. When fully operational in 2012, these two phases combined will have about 650 ponds producing an estimated capacity of 13,500 tonnes of white-leg shrimps per annum. Phase 1 will be operational in early 2011.
iSHARP Setiu will create more than 1,500 job opportunities, of which the local residents will get priority for the new jobs. In line with the New Economic Model, this integrated system will help change the lifestyle of the farmers as they will be trained and certified to be k-farmers (knowledge farmers).
iSHARP Setiu aims to be the first sustainable shrimp aquaculture farm in Malaysia. It will be a one-stop facility for small-medium enterprises (SMEs) aquapreneurs where all infrastructure in place, regulations met and necessary certification provided. They lease the ponds within the site and just focus on growing shrimp in a controlled and biosecure facility that ensures food safety and offers full traceability.
A Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) study was conducted before building iSHARP Setiu. This was subsequently submitted and approved on Sept 3 2009 by the Department of Environment (DOE), thus making it the first and only aquaculture farm to have conducted and submitted a DEIA successfully.
iSHARP Setiu is designed to cater to Blue Archipelago’s premium export markets, and is expected to contribute more than 70% of its total augmented production volume once it starts operations. iSHARP Setiu will be applying SAP Business All-in-One and SAP BusinessObjects Edge Standard solutions, implemented by IBM’s Global Business Services to optimally integrate its operations with the farm in Kerpan and headquarters.
A clear insight into complete food production lifecycle and maximize the incoming product for processing capacity will be gained, with the added ability to closely monitor future demand and supply, allowing faster response to changes. This will enable more efficient daily operations, inventory and resource management, and support Blue Archipelago’s expansion plans to Europe, North America and Japan.
Blue Archipelago is the first shrimp aquaculture company in Malaysia to implement SAP’s cutting-edge technology, thus gaining a clear first-mover advantage. It joins the ranks of other visionary agriculture and aquaculture customers such as the US Department of Agriculture and Korea Rural Community Agriculture that are using SAP’s solutions for competitive advantage.
Using high-tech solutions to modernize agriculture and specifically to innovate the management of aqua-farming and seafood production is imperative to Blue Archipelago’s regional expansion as we aim to be a market leader in the region, focused on growing its business internationally while maintaining high quality food and ecological sustainability.
|
