KKP: Red and White Fishermen's Village in Batam Expected to Boost Coastal Community Incomes

Deputy Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Didit Herdiawan Ashaf stated that the development of the Red and White Fishermen’s Village (KNMP) in Batam City, Riau Islands (Kepri), is expected to increase the income of coastal communities through strengthened collaboration among fishermen. Didit said Batam is one of the areas with three KNMP locations, namely in Sekanak Raya, Pulau Kasu, and Sembulang, which are expected to become centres for the economic empowerment of fishing communities. “Yesterday we inspected the Sekanak Raya KNMP, and today I entrust the communities around the Batam KNMP to take good care of it and work together with the Red and White Village Cooperative. The hope is that the income of fishermen, which may have been small before, can increase,” said Didit in Batam on Tuesday. He said a thematic fish farming programme will also be developed at the KNMP, enabling integration between coastal areas and surrounding regions. “This is where cooperation between coastal areas and other regions will occur, leading to an increase in income for the community,” he stated. According to him, the construction of the KNMP is not only aimed at building facilities and infrastructure in coastal areas but also at becoming a model for marine-based economic development. “This year we have completed around 100 Red and White Fishermen’s Villages as models. Their development is tailored to the characteristics of each region,” said the Deputy Minister of KKP. He explained that before construction begins, the government first conducts an assessment of the location to ensure the land status meets the principles of clear, clean, and free, so that programme implementation runs without obstacles. Deputy Minister Didit also emphasised that the KKP will not abandon the community after construction is completed. “After construction, we do not leave them. There is a team of extension officers, a mentoring team, and a supervisory team to ensure that this fishermen’s village truly operates and becomes part of increasing the income of the fishing community,” he said. Didit added that the government is targeting the construction of approximately 1,269 Red and White Fishermen’s Villages throughout Indonesia by 2026. “This target must be implemented and operational, and it must reach the fishing communities. In addition to increasing income, it is also to increase protein intake for the surrounding community.” According to him, the existence of the KNMP is also expected to strengthen the food supply chain for the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) through cooperation with the Red and White Village Cooperative. He expressed hope that the three Red and White Fishermen’s Villages in Batam can improve the welfare of fishermen while strengthening the economy of communities in the archipelago region. Based on observations at the Sembulang KNMP, several facilities have already begun to be used by the local community, such as a jetty for fishing boats. In addition, other facilities like a boat repair workshop, fish storage, retail outlets, and a culinary centre are ready for utilisation.