Programme Background
A strategic small-scale (backyard aquaculture) approach to strengthen household food security in Sabah
The Kebun Dapur Initiative, built on backyard aquaculture under Ko-Nelayan, is proposed as a strategic approach to strengthen food security and boost the production of protein sources at the household level.
The project emphasises small-scale aquaculture through the use of freshwater fish ponds, earthen ponds or static tanks; small-scale fish cages in suitable areas; and aquaponic systems. This approach enables households to farm fish in a practical way, either for their own consumption or as a source of supplementary income — water from the fish ponds can also be used to irrigate the kitchen garden as a source of natural nutrients.
What is Kebun Dapur?
Kebun Dapur is a simple way to farm your own fish at home — for the family table or to sell the surplus for extra income. Ko-Nelayan provides fish fry & equipment at discounted prices, plus free manuals and advice. Open to rural families, small-scale fishermen/fish farmers, unemployed youth and single mothers.
You don't need to be a fisherman to joinInitiative Objectives
The key goals behind the implementation of Ko-Nelayan's Kebun Dapur Initiative
Protein Source
Providing a source of fresh fish protein for household consumption
Lower Cost of Living
Reducing the cost of living for target group families
Youth Participation
Increasing youth participation in fish farming
Knowledge & Skills
Building basic aquaculture knowledge and skills
Supplementary Income
Encouraging surplus harvests to be sold for supplementary family income
Target Groups
The key target groups set to benefit from the Kebun Dapur Initiative
Poor rural communities
Small-scale fishermen and fish farmers
Unemployed youth and graduates
Single mothers and vulnerable groups
How to Join in 4 Steps
From registering your interest to receiving your fish fry — we guide you every step of the way.
Check & Register Interest
Answer a few simple questions & leave your details — online, ~1 minute.
An Officer Contacts You
A Ko-Nelayan officer will call you for confirmation & further guidance.
Site Verification Visit
A technical officer visits to assess the suitability of your space/site.
Receive & Start Farming
Get discounted fish fry/equipment plus a free manual & technical guidance.
Implementation Method
Five forms of Kebun Dapur support — from discounted fish fry & equipment to entrepreneurship financing. Click any card to view details & how to apply.
Supply of Quality Fish Fry
Fish fry, feed and equipment are offered to participants at discounted prices — complete with a site verification visit, a farming guide manual and technical advice, all free of charge.
What You Get
- Species: Red Tilapia, African Catfish, Grouper, Golden Pomfret
- Specifications — Tilapia & Catfish: minimum size 3 inches; Grouper & Golden Pomfret: 4 inches
- Farming Guide Manual — FREE
- Advice & technical guidance — FREE
How to Apply
- Fill in the Order Form at your nearest Ko-Nelayan Regional Office
- Verification visit by a technical officer before supply
- Receive fish fry & manual + free technical guidance
Supply of Fish Feed
Quality pelleted fish feed is supplied to participants to support optimum growth throughout the farming cycle.
What You Get
- Species: Tilapia, African Catfish, Patin, Grouper, Golden Pomfret
- Starter, Grower & Finisher pellets — matched to growth stage
- Offered at discounted prices
How to Apply
- Same Order Form at your nearest Ko-Nelayan Regional Office
- Verification visit & free technical advisory
- Receive feed supply according to farming needs
Aquaculture Equipment
A range of aquaculture equipment is offered at discounted prices to enable households to start farming fish in a practical way — including aquaponic systems that allow fish farming and vegetable growing to be carried out at the same time.
What You Get
- Species: Tilapia, African Catfish, Patin, Grouper, Sea Bass, Golden Pomfret
- Aquaponic systems — fish farming + vegetable growing at once
- Offered at discounted prices
Equipment Types
Aquaponics
Aqua Starter Kit
Water & Air Pumps
Nets & Others
Training & Technical Advisory Services
Ko-Nelayan provides free training and technical advisory services to help participants master basic aquaculture skills — while opening up entrepreneurship opportunities for youth and graduates.
What You Get
- Upskilling courses on fish farming modules
- Youth & Graduate Entrepreneurship Development Training
- Regular monitoring visits & technical advice
- All courses & training — FREE
How to Apply
- Apply directly to the Ko-Nelayan Aquaculture Training Centre (KATC) or a Regional Office
- Free courses at KATC or a nearby district, subject to demand
- Annual monitoring visits provided for participants' projects
Aquapreneur Kebun Dapur Start-up
An entrepreneurship opportunity open to youth from low-income households to start their own aquaculture business — complete with an equipment package, fish fry supply, input materials, training and subsidised micro-credit financing.
Package Provided
- Aquaponics / Aqua Starter Kit & accessories
- Fish fry supply + input materials (feed, medication)
- Mindset Transformation Programme / Training — FREE
- Access to scale-up financing via i-Akuakultur
per person · subsidised micro-credit financing
How to Apply
- Fill in the Application Form at any Ko-Nelayan Regional Office
- Site inspection — the Aquaculture Technical Committee certifies site suitability
- Free training provided to successful applicants
- Project scale-up — access i-Akuakultur financing to grow the business
Interested in any of the components above?
Check Eligibility & Register InterestInitiative Impact
The economic, social and health benefits targeted through the Kebun Dapur Initiative
Economic Impact
Saving on household food costs and opening up supplementary income from surplus harvests
Food Security & Health
A fresh and continuous supply of protein for the family, especially during economic crises or disasters
Social Impact
Fostering community cooperation, knowledge-sharing and a spirit of self-reliance among target groups
Human Development
Exposure to basic aquaculture skills and food sustainability education for the younger generation
Ko-Nelayan Regional Offices
Contact or visit your nearest Regional Office for further information & formal applications.
Warning: Ko-Nelayan NEVER requests advance payment to join this programme. Deal only through official Regional Offices or authorised officers. If anyone asks you for money, please report it.
Interested in joining Kebun Dapur?
Backyard aquaculture under the Kebun Dapur Programme is a cost-effective and sustainable approach to improving the wellbeing of community and fishermen households. Contact or visit your nearest Ko-Nelayan Regional Office, or the Ko-Nelayan Aquaculture Training Centre (KATC), for further information and applications.