East Jakarta Administration Launches Fish Consumption Campaign for Hundreds of Students

The East Jakarta City Government has conducted the ‘Gerakan Memasyarakatkan Makan Ikan’ (Gemarikan) campaign, aimed at promoting fish consumption, for 561 students in the Cipinang Besar Utara area, Jatinegara.

“This activity is certainly an effort to increase fish consumption while habituating children to eat fish as part of a healthy and nutritious diet,” said the Mayor of East Jakarta, Munjirin, when confirmed in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The campaign was held as part of the ‘Safari Gemarikan’ programme at SDN Cipinang Besar Utara 05 and SDN Cipinang Besar Utara 08, located in the Cipinang Besar Utara sub-district, Jatinegara, on Tuesday (15/9).

Munjirin expressed his hope that the Gemarikan initiative within the school environment could serve as both an educational tool and a driver for changing children’s eating habits.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Jakarta Food Security, Marine, and Agriculture Office (KPKP), Hasudungan Sidabalok, stated that 561 students received processed fish products during the event.

“We are implementing Gemarikan to familiarise children with consuming fish. Fish is high in protein and is excellent for supporting child growth,” said Hasudungan.

Through the distribution of processed fish, students are not only introduced to fish as a food ingredient but are also encouraged to make fish a primary protein source in their daily menus.

“Jakarta has significant aquatic areas. We need to empower this potential so that public fish consumption continues to rise,” added Hasudungan.

He expressed hope that the Gemarikan programme can be implemented sustainably to increase public awareness regarding fish consumption. Such habits should begin in childhood to establish healthy dietary patterns and support the healthy development of future generations.