Government Accelerates Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih to Boost Coastal Welfare

The government is accelerating the development of Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih (KNMP) as a priority programme to boost the productivity and welfare of coastal communities. The initiative is driven by the vast potential of Indonesia’s marine and fisheries sector, which has yet to deliver optimal benefits for fishermen.

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono explained that despite more than 80 years of independence, many coastal areas remain slums, synonymous with poverty. The government aims to uplift the fishing sector by providing essential production infrastructure, similar to the support given to agriculture through dams, irrigation, fertilisers, and seeds.

The current development target is 100 villages by the end of August, with 1,369 villages expected to be completed by the end of the year. The long-term goal is to reach approximately 5,000 villages by 2029. A pilot model developed in 2023 demonstrated that the provided facilities could more than double fishermen’s productivity.

Key infrastructure includes docks, ice plants, cold storage, subsidised fuel stations (SPBN), supply stores, workshops, and clean water facilities. The availability of ice plants and cold storage is crucial, as it allows fishermen to maintain the freshness of their catch, preventing quality degradation and price drops. Improved quality has even enabled some catches to be packed in containers for export markets.

Economically, the programme is projected to generate around 3 million tonnes of fresh fish annually from the initial 1,300 villages, with an estimated value of at least Rp60 trillion. A model village in Biak Numfor, Papua, saw its annual economic turnover reach Rp7 billion to Rp8 billion after facilities and marketing systems were improved. The programme is expected to benefit approximately 3.2 million fishermen, impacting up to 10 million people when including their families. The government views the over Rp5 trillion budget for the initial phase not merely as expenditure, but as a state obligation to enhance the dignity and welfare of fishermen.