Tilapia therapy for ‘abang bomba’ at Meru Raya Fire Station

IPOH - To create a more cheerful and sustainable environment, the team at the Meru Raya Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) have innovatively transformed the station's drains and water retention ponds into tilapia fish farms.

This initiative not only provides fresh food for the Abang Bomba (firefighters), but also serves as mental therapy, reflecting their commitment to environmental sustainability.

BBP Meru Raya Chief Sharudi Muhamad Halil said the idea of breeding fish emerged earlier this year to enhance the firemen’s mental well-being while also addressing the station's raw material needs.

"Each firefighter is on duty for 12 hours, and during that time, they cannot leave the station as they must be prepared for any emergency situation.

"This means we will eat at the station, cooking for ourselves in the pantry, and with the availability of these tilapia fish, after finishing our duties, there will already be fresh ingredients for them to use," he told Bernama.

Sharudi said that prior to launching the tilapia farming project, Meru Raya BBP had been involved in hydroponic farming as part of the Kebuniti Programme under the Perak State Department of Agriculture and the Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation (Perak SADC) since 2021.

"We started with 250 polybags, growing mustard greens, spinach, and water spinach. Later, we transitioned to cultivating pineapples with 70 plants, before eventually moving into tilapia farming.

"The tilapia farming project began in March with 1,000 fish fingerlings donated by the Perak State Fisheries Department. They have since grown to 400-500 grams each and are now ready for harvest,” he said.

He added that this aquaculture project supports the government's initiative to focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in line with the nation's Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

"We have also formed partnerships with the local community by organising activities to collect used clothing, items, and e-waste. To date, we have successfully gathered over 23 metric tons,” he said.

"Sales from this project have successfully generated over RM4,000, which we use as revolving capital to purchase fertiliser, soil, fish feed, and vegetable seeds,” said Sharudi.

"This project makes extensive use of recycled materials, and we even utilise spring water from a nearby hill for irrigation, including channelling water for the fish farming system in the drainage.

"We minimise resource consumption as much as possible to maintain environmental sustainability, particularly in ensuring quality living conditions for the fire station members,” he explained, noting that each firefighter is responsible for caring for the fish and managing the community garden around the station.

BBP Meru Raya’s initiative was recognised last year by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, earning them the Green Sustainability Award. - BERNAMA