The Patriot Expedition Team (TEP) from IPB University is developing\nBlack Soldier Fly (BSF) maggot cultivation as an alternative feed,\nalongside the processing of catfish into \u2018abon\u2019 (meat floss), in the\nSalor Transmigration Area, Merauke, South Papua. The initiative aims to\nsuppress aquaculture costs and increase the added value of fishery\nproducts.<\/p>\n
The development involves approximately 40 transmigrants and\nIndigenous Papuans (OAP) organised into three farmer group unions\n(gapoktan). Training includes catfish cultivation and BSF maggot\nbreeding.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis floss programme stems from the high cost of catfish feed in\nthis area. Therefore, we have brought innovation through the use of\nmaggots as an alternative feed,\u201d said Noval, a member of the IPB\nUniversity TEP, in an official statement received in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
According to Noval, the development of alternative feed is being\ncarried out alongside the processing of catfish into floss so that\ncultivation results can be transformed into value-added products. To\nensure the availability of raw materials for maggot cultivation, the\nteam is collaborating with several restaurants around Salor to provide\norganic waste collection bins. This organic waste is then utilised as a\nfood source for the maggot larvae. Each farmer group union coordinates\nthrough their respective group leaders to maintain the sustainability of\nthe cultivation process.<\/p>\n
The cultivated maggots are used as alternative feed for catfish. The\nteam also plans to market them to farmers around Salor, which has the\npotential to serve as an additional source of income for the community.\nIn addition to developing alternative feed, TEP IPSB is assisting in\nshortening the catfish distribution chain so that breeders can access\nsales without relying on middlemen.<\/p>\n
The team is also assisting micro, small, and medium enterprises\n(MSMEs) involved in floss processing through the halal certification\nprocess, while the marketing of catfish floss products is planned to be\nexpanded through digital channels and a dedicated website.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Transmigration stated that the programme\u2019s benefits\nare being directly felt by the residents. Indah Katharina Wona, head of\nthe MSME \u2018Warung Ola Indah\u2019, said the training provides options for the\ncommunity to process fish into products with higher selling prices.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis training is very beneficial for us because we do not just\nconsume or cook \u2018gastor\u2019 (snakehead) fish; we can also innovate by\nmaking snakehead and catfish floss to increase the selling value of the\nfish and improve family income,\u201d said Indah.<\/p>\n
The Merauke Regency Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) recorded that\nfish production for local consumption in Merauke Regency in 2024 reached\n798,256 kilograms (kg). Of that total, inland fishery production reached\n55,953 kg, including 8,334 kg of catfish and 5,408 kg of snakehead\nfish.<\/p>\n
Nationally, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP)\nestimates that aquaculture production in the first quarter of 2025 will\nreach 4.17 million tonnes, an increase of 2.61 per cent compared to the\nsame period the previous year. The production value of aquaculture\nduring this period reached approximately Rp71.15 trillion.<\/p>\n
In July 2026, the Ministry of Transmigration assigned 1,476 TEP\nparticipants, organised into 246 teams, to be deployed across 53\ntransmigration areas throughout Indonesia. Twelve of these assignment\nareas are located in the Papua region. These 53 locations are part of\n154 priority transmigration areas previously visited and mapped through\nTEP 2025.<\/p>\n
In 2026, the programme is directed not only towards research and\nmapping but also towards technical work, assistance, and the development\nof innovations based on regional needs. The Ministry of Transmigration\nhas designated Merauke, including the Salor Transmigration Area, as one\nof the development regions for transmigration transformation based on\neconomic potential.<\/p>\n
The Minister of Transmigration, Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman\nSuryanagara, stated that economic development in the region will be\nexpanded to various areas in Papua. \u201cIn the future, it will not just be\nMerauke; we want to reach all of Papua. There must be economic growth in\nall Papua provinces, all Papua regencies, and all Papua villages,\u201d said\nIftitah.<\/p>\n
The Ministry hopes that the development of alternative feed, fishery\nproduct processing, and business assistance will strengthen the economic\nactivities of the community in transmigration areas.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ipb-expedition-team-develops-alternative-feed-and-catfish-floss-in-salor-1788520082", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }