Modern green freshwater lobster aquaponics: UiTM Sabah’s innovative model for sustainable community empowerment and resilience

This paper presents the implementation of the Freshwater Lobster Production – Green Aquaponic Perennial System (FLPGAPS) 2.0 as an innovative model developed by UiTM Sabah to sustainably empower and uplift rural communities. The project, carried out in Kampung Kayu Madang, applies a modern green aquaponics approach that integrates freshwater lobster farming with sustainable vegetable cultivation anchored in the principles of the Blue Economy. Community participants received comprehensive training in technical aquaponics, entrepreneurship, and resource management, resulting in significant improvements in knowledge (93%), technical skills (94%), and daily practices (86.7%). The project fostered strong self-confidence among the community, enabling them to manage the system independently with minimal external support. The outcomes of FLP-GAPS 2.0 go beyond income generation; they inspire a wider vision for replication in other underserved communities. The success of this project reflects UiTM Sabah's role as a catalyst for social innovation and sustainable rural development through effective knowledge transfer, technology adoption, and inclusive university-community collaboration.