Frequently Asked Questions

Approximately 60% of our students have zero aquaculture experience when they start. We design our curriculum assuming no prior knowledge.

Who are our typical students?

• Career changers from various industries
• Recent graduates seeking entrepreneurship opportunities
• Traditional fishermen diversifying income
• Retirees starting second careers
• Landowners looking to utilize property productively

Our instructors are experienced in teaching beginners and provide additional support to ensure everyone progresses successfully.

Hands-on experience you can't get online:

• Real pond operations: You'll work in actual production ponds, not just watch videos
• Equipment mastery: Hands-on practice with aerators, water testing kits, feeding equipment, and harvest tools
• Problem-solving skills: Learn to diagnose and address real issues as they arise
• Mentorship: Direct access to experienced instructors who can answer your specific questions immediately
• Networking: Build relationships with fellow farmers and industry contacts
• Sensory learning: Understand water quality by sight, smell, and observation—impossible to learn online

While online courses can provide theoretical knowledge, aquaculture success requires practical skills that can only be developed through direct experience. Our 95% graduate success rate reflects this hands-on approach.

Many students pursue multiple specializations, especially those interested in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems that combine different species.

Popular combinations:

• Tilapia + Seaweed: Excellent for integrated freshwater-marine operations
• Shrimp + All courses: Commercial operators often diversify to reduce risk

You can take courses sequentially (one after another) or space them out over time. Alumni can return for additional training at discounted rates.

Specific requirements:

• Age: Minimum 18 years old (no maximum age)
• Education: No formal education requirement, but must be able to read, write, and do basic math
• Language: Proficiency in English or Bahasa Malaysia (courses offered in both languages)
• Physical fitness: Ability to work outdoors in tropical conditions and perform moderate physical labor
• Medical: No serious health conditions that would prevent outdoor work (medical certificate not required)

Helpful but not required:

• Access to land for starting a farm (many students secure land after training)
• Basic business planning skills
• Capital for farm setup (we provide guidance on financing options)

Application process (simple and straightforward):

1. Submit inquiry: Use the contact form on our website or call +60 3 1662 02180
2. Course selection consultation: We'll discuss your goals and recommend the most appropriate course
3. Complete application form: Basic information including background, motivation, and preferred dates
4. Pay deposit: 30% deposit to secure your spot (RM 660-840 depending on course)
5. Receive confirmation: Course materials and pre-arrival information sent via email

Timeline: From application to course start can be as short as 2 weeks, though we recommend applying 4-6 weeks in advance for better date selection.

Class sizes: Limited to 15-20 students per cohort to ensure quality instruction and individual attention.

Course schedule:

• Shrimp Aquaculture: Starts monthly (first Monday of each month)
• Tilapia Cultivation: Starts every 6 weeks
• Seaweed Farming: Starts quarterly (January, April, July, October)

Best times to enroll: We recommend avoiding December (holiday season) and February (Chinese New Year period) when some facilities may have limited operations.

For the most up-to-date course schedule and availability, contact our admissions team or check our website's course calendar.

We've trained students from Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and several other countries.

For international students:

• Visa support: We provide official invitation letters and enrollment confirmation for visa applications
• Language: All courses available in English
• Accommodation assistance: We can recommend nearby guesthouses and budget hotels (RM 50-100/night)
• Airport pickup: Available upon request (additional fee)
• Course materials: Provided in English with metric measurements

Important: International students are responsible for their own visa arrangements. We recommend applying for a social visit pass or short-term training visa.

Your training fee includes:

• All training sessions: Classroom instruction and hands-on practical work
• Course materials: Comprehensive manual, reference guides, and data sheets
• Equipment use: Access to all facility equipment during training
• Certificate: Official Cave Aqua Skills training certificate upon completion
• Lunch: Daily lunch provided Monday-Friday
• Alumni network access: Lifetime access to our online alumni community
• 6-month support: Email/phone support for technical questions after graduation
• Farm visit: One complimentary on-site farm consultation within first year (within Sarawak)

Not included:

• Accommodation (we can recommend budget options starting from RM 30/night)
• Transportation to/from training center
• Personal equipment or clothing
• Breakfast and dinner

Realistic capital requirements by type:

Shrimp Farming (1 hectare):

• Pond construction: RM 80,000 - 120,000
• Aeration equipment: RM 25,000 - 40,000
• Operating capital (first cycle): RM 40,000 - 50,000
• Total: RM 145,000 - 210,000
• Expected ROI: 18-24 months

Tilapia Cultivation (0.5 hectare):

• Pond construction: RM 30,000 - 45,000
• Aeration equipment: RM 8,000 - 12,000
• Operating capital (first cycle): RM 15,000 - 20,000
• Total: RM 53,000 - 77,000
• Expected ROI: 12-18 months

Seaweed Farming (2 hectares coastal area):

• Line system setup: RM 15,000 - 25,000
• Boat and equipment: RM 20,000 - 30,000
• Drying facility: RM 10,000 - 15,000
• Operating capital (first cycle): RM 5,000 - 8,000
• Total: RM 50,000 - 78,000
• Expected ROI: 10-15 months

Note: These are estimates for new construction. Many successful graduates start with existing family land or lease ponds, significantly reducing initial capital needs.

Training course financing:

• Payment plans: Split course fee into 2 payments (50% deposit, 50% by week 2)
• Group discounts: 10% discount for groups of 3+ from same organization/family
• Government programs: Some students qualify for Malaysian government skills development programs (check with MDEC or MIDA)

Farm setup financing:

• Agrobank: Specialized agricultural loans with favorable terms for trained aquaculture operators
• TEKUN: Government-backed microfinance for entrepreneurs (up to RM 50,000)
• Bank Rakyat: SME agriculture financing programs
• MAFI grants: Ministry of Agriculture grants for new farmers (competitive application)

We provide graduates with business plan templates and guidance for loan applications. Our certificate is recognized by most agricultural lenders and improves approval chances.

In fact, taking the course first is often advantageous because you'll learn exactly what to look for in suitable land. About 40% of our students acquire or lease land after completing training.

During the course, you'll learn:

• How to evaluate land suitability (soil type, water access, topography)
• Optimal pond sizing and layout
• Water quality requirements for your chosen species
• Infrastructure needs (electricity, road access)

This knowledge helps you make smarter land acquisition decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

Minimum viable sizes for commercial operations:

• Shrimp: Minimum 0.5 hectares (1.25 acres) but 1-2 hectares recommended for profitability
• Tilapia: Minimum 0.3 hectares (0.75 acres) for semi-intensive; 0.5+ hectares recommended
• Seaweed: Minimum 1 hectare of coastal lease area (different from land ownership)

Important considerations:

• Total land needed is larger than just pond area (include access roads, dikes, structures)
• Rule of thumb: Total land should be 30-40% larger than planned pond area
• Starting small and expanding is often smarter than building large from the beginning
• Land leasing is common—many successful farmers don't own their land

Required permits and licenses in Malaysia:

• Aquaculture License: From Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) - required for commercial operations over 0.2 hectares
• Land use approval: From local district office if changing land use classification
• Water extraction permit: If using groundwater or significant river water volumes
• Business registration: Register with SSM (Companies Commission of Malaysia)

Environmental regulations:

• EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) required for farms over 50 hectares
• Compliance with Water Act 1920 and Environmental Quality Act 1974
• Proper effluent management as per DOE guidelines

Support we provide: During training, we cover the entire licensing process and provide templates for applications. Alumni receive ongoing guidance during their setup process.

Choose based on your situation:

Choose Shrimp if you have:

• Coastal or brackish water access (salinity 15-30 ppt)
• Higher capital (RM 150,000+)
• Tolerance for higher risk/reward ratio
• Access to reliable electricity for aeration
• Strong markets for premium seafood

Pros: Highest profit margins, strong export markets, short production cycles (3-4 months)
Cons: Disease risk, higher capital needs, intensive management

Choose Tilapia if you have:

• Freshwater access (pond, stream, well)
• Moderate capital (RM 50,000+)
• Preference for lower-risk operation
• Local market access (restaurants, retailers)
• Interest in both grow-out and breeding

Pros: Hardy species, proven markets, relatively disease-resistant, faster ROI
Cons: Lower profit margins than shrimp, competitive market

Choose Seaweed if you have:

• Access to clean coastal waters
• Lower capital available (RM 50,000+)
• Boat operation capability
• Physical fitness for marine work
• Interest in sustainable aquaculture

Pros: Low capital investment, environmentally beneficial, stable demand, short cycles (30-45 days)
Cons: Weather dependent, lower profit per hectare, requires coastal access

Disease management is a core component of all our training programs. We teach a prevention-first approach:

Prevention strategies covered:

• Biosecurity protocols: Preventing disease introduction through strict farm access control
• Quality seed stock: Sourcing healthy, SPF (Specific Pathogen Free) post-larvae or fingerlings
• Water quality management: Maintaining optimal conditions that support immune function
• Stocking density: Avoiding overcrowding that stresses animals
• Nutrition: Quality feed that supports health and disease resistance
• Regular monitoring: Daily observation for early detection

Response protocols:

When issues arise, we teach systematic diagnosis and response including when to harvest early, when to treat, and when to cull. You'll learn to recognize all common diseases for your chosen species and evidence-based treatment approaches.

Our graduates have significantly lower disease-related losses (averaging 15-20%) compared to untrained farmers (30-40%).

Real graduate income data (based on first 3 years of operation):

Shrimp (1 hectare, semi-intensive):

• Revenue per cycle: RM 120,000 - 180,000
• Operating costs: RM 65,000 - 85,000
• Net profit per cycle: RM 35,000 - 95,000
• Cycles per year: 2.5 - 3
• Annual net profit: RM 87,500 - 285,000

Tilapia (0.5 hectare, semi-intensive):

• Revenue per cycle: RM 45,000 - 65,000
• Operating costs: RM 25,000 - 35,000
• Net profit per cycle: RM 20,000 - 30,000
• Cycles per year: 2
• Annual net profit: RM 40,000 - 60,000

Seaweed (2 hectares):

• Revenue per cycle: RM 18,000 - 25,000
• Operating costs: RM 6,000 - 9,000
• Net profit per cycle: RM 12,000 - 16,000
• Cycles per year: 8
• Annual net profit: RM 96,000 - 128,000

Important notes:

• These are averages—results vary based on management skill, market conditions, and local factors
• First cycle often has lower profits as farmers refine techniques
• Experienced farmers (3+ years) typically achieve the upper range
• Scaling to larger operations proportionally increases profits

Short answer: Possible but challenging, especially for shrimp. More feasible for tilapia and seaweed.

Reality check by species:

Shrimp - Difficult part-time:

• Requires twice-daily monitoring (morning and evening)
• Critical periods need immediate attention (water quality crashes, disease outbreaks)
• Most successful part-time shrimp farmers have hired farm managers

Tilapia - Moderately feasible:

• Can be managed with once-daily checks during grow-out phase
• Several graduates successfully operate on weekends + early mornings/evenings
• Consider hiring part-time labor for feeding during workdays

Seaweed - Most part-time friendly:

• Work can be concentrated on weekends
• Several teachers and office workers successfully operate seaweed farms part-time
• Harvest and line maintenance can be scheduled flexibly

Recommended approach: Many successful graduates started part-time with small operations, gained experience, then transitioned to full-time as the business grew.

Lifetime alumni benefits include:

• 6-month technical support: Email/phone/WhatsApp access to instructors for technical questions
• Alumni network: Access to private Facebook group and alumni directory for peer support
• One farm visit: Complimentary on-site consultation within first year (Sarawak only)
• Quarterly webinars: Updates on new techniques, market conditions, and Q&A sessions
• Resource library: Online access to updated guides, videos, and reference materials
• Supplier connections: Vetted list of quality suppliers for equipment, feed, and seed stock
• Buyer connections: Introduction to processors and buyers in your region
• Continuing education: 25% discount on advanced workshops and refresher courses

Our philosophy: Your success is our success. We stay invested in your journey long after you graduate.