JAKARTA \u2013 The Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih (KNMP) programme is\nconsidered capable of increasing small-scale fishers\u2019 incomes while\nstimulating economic activity in coastal communities. However, its\nsuccess will require more than infrastructure development and higher\nproduction: it also depends on access to finance, protection of fishing\ngrounds and stronger bargaining power for fishers.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Traditional Fishers\u2019 Union (KNTI) says KNMP is one\nprogramme with the potential to address fundamental problems in the\ntraditional fisheries sector. It needs to be implemented consistently\nthrough co-operation between the Ministry of Marine Affairs and\nFisheries (KKP), fishers and coastal communities.<\/p>\n
KNTI chairman Dani Setiawan said government policies during the\ntwo-year administration of Prabowo-Gibran should deliver greater\nbenefits to small-scale fishers. He said coastal economic development\nrequires sustained financing so communities can improve productivity and\nincome.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is time for the government to focus on fishers and on the\npotential to drive the coastal economy through consistent capital\nfinancing,\u201d Dani said in Jakarta on Monday (26 October 2026).<\/p>\n
Alongside KNMP, other government programmes highlighted by KNTI\ninclude the development of themed fish-farming initiatives, salt\nself-sufficiency and the modernisation of fishing vessels. Dani said\nthese policies should be accompanied by protection for sustainable\nfishing practices and the fishing grounds used by traditional\nfishers.<\/p>\n
Such protection is important to ensure that coastal development does\nnot reduce small-scale fishers\u2019 access to marine resources. KNTI also\nstressed the need for policies that safeguard coastal communities\u2019\nliving space amid expanding economic activity and investment.<\/p>\n
Dani said KNMP could create new economic activity if it is\nimplemented in line with communities\u2019 needs. In addition to increasing\nfisheries productivity, the programme could support food security and\nexpand job opportunities in coastal villages.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe KNMP programme has the potential to create new jobs, stimulate\nvillage economic activity and broaden the distribution of development in\ncoastal areas,\u201d Dani said.<\/p>\n
Dani said the government must ensure that the construction of KNMP\nfacilities is followed by ongoing oversight and support. This would\nensure that the programme\u2019s benefits go beyond the provision of\nfacilities and infrastructure and are also reflected in improved\nlivelihoods for fishers.<\/p>\n
\u201cKNMP should be regarded as part of the state\u2019s efforts to fulfil\nsmall-scale fishers\u2019 rights to fair development and a healthy\nenvironment,\u201d Dani said.<\/p>\n
He added that coastal development must take account of communities\u2019\nrights to their living space and access to fisheries resources. Dani\nsaid government policy could help strengthen small-scale fishers\u2019 legal\ncertainty when using coastal areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see that government programmes are in fact making a real effort\nat territorial reclamation, or the lawful recovery of space, to defend\nthe rights of small-scale fishers,\u201d Dani said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Bagus Mangundiwiryo, a researcher at the Indomasive\nInstitute, said fisheries infrastructure development could help address\nstructural poverty in coastal areas. Facilities to store and distribute\ncatches, he said, are essential for small-scale fishers.<\/p>\n
Based on Indomasive\u2019s analysis of maritime downstream industries,\ncold-storage facilities and logistics jetties can help increase the\neconomic value of catches. This infrastructure should also be supported\nby the use of appropriate technology to make fishing businesses more\nefficient.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key is cold-storage sovereignty, improvements to logistics\njetties and the integration of appropriate technology. Cold-storage\ninfrastructure can effectively break fishers\u2019 dependence on middlemen,\nwho often set catch prices unilaterally,\u201d Bagus said.<\/p>\n
Bagus explained that a lack of storage facilities often forces\nfishers to sell their catches immediately, even when market prices are\nunfavourable. With cold-storage facilities, fishers have a greater\nopportunity to preserve the quality of their fish and choose when to\nsell.<\/p>\n
Strengthening logistics infrastructure is also expected to help\nfishers gain access to wider markets. With support for facilities,\nfinancing and protection of fishing grounds, KNMP is expected to deliver\nsustainable economic benefits to coastal communities.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/knmp-could-reduce-fishers-dependence-on-middlemen-1793029909", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }