KKP Accelerates Aquaculture Development in 40,000 Thematic Villages

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has confirmed the acceleration of fish farming development across 40,000 thematic villages, beginning this year, in order to strengthen protein self-sufficiency, increase production and drive national exports.

Director General of Aquaculture at the KKP, Tb Haeru Rahayu, said the programme is being rolled out as government budget allocations are ready, whilst field implementation has already begun through cross-sector coordination as the foundation for accelerating national aquaculture development.

“It starts this year; the budget is in place, so we are beginning immediately,” Tb Rahayu said when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He said the programme’s implementation is not waiting for all stages to be completed, because coordination with village governments, regency administrations, relevant agencies, the Ministry of Villages and the Ministry of Home Affairs has been under way since the beginning.

The KKP is also ensuring that the development of thematic fish farming villages is carried out through collaboration across various ministries and agencies so that all implementation needs, from land to mentoring, can be met in an integrated manner.

“Yes, it has now started on the ground; all sorts of coordination have taken place. That means the stages have begun. We are coordinating with villages, regents, heads of agencies, the Ministry of Villages, the Ministry of Home Affairs. Collaboration with all ministries and agencies,” he explained.

He also noted that the thematic village programme differs from the Red and White Fishermen’s Village (KNMP) initiative because it focuses on developing inland fish farming rather than enhancing the fish capture sector.

“That (the development of 40,000 thematic villages) is not part of KNMP,” he clarified.

Through this step, the KKP hopes the development of the 40,000 thematic villages will strengthen national protein production, expand fishery export opportunities and improve community welfare across various regions of Indonesia.

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) said the government is preparing 40,000 thematic fish farming villages to reinforce protein self-sufficiency while boosting Indonesia’s fishery exports.

“We held a coordination meeting to safeguard, secure and ensure the success of, first, the Red and White Fishermen’s Village. Second, fish farming will be developed in 40,000 villages. Yes, that is a very big undertaking as well, no less significant than the Red and White Village Cooperatives — enormous,” Zulhas said in Jakarta on Tuesday (21/7).

The government is targeting for Indonesia not only to meet domestic protein needs but also to become one of the largest exporters of fishery commodities, particularly fish and shrimp.

To realise this target, the government has prepared two main programmes: the construction of Red and White Fishermen’s Villages and the development of thematic aquaculture in 40,000 villages throughout Indonesia.

“The fish (to be farmed) will be varied. It will depend on the KKP, which will prepare the fry. Just wait — in a year’s time, people will be talking about fish every day. This will begin as soon as possible,” Zulhas said.