Merah Putih Fishermen Village in Jatimalang, Purworejo Becomes Culinary and Tourism Hub

Purworejo, Kompas.com — The coastal atmosphere of Jatimalang Beach in Purworejo Regency is gradually changing. Among the moored fishing boats and the distinctive smell of the sea, new buildings have risen that are hoped to become a centre of economic activity for the coastal community. The area is known as the Merah Putih Fishermen Village (KNMP).

The programme is one of the government’s efforts to strengthen fishermen’s livelihoods while developing the coastal area to be more productive. For coastal communities, the presence of the centre brings new hope. It is not only a place for fishing activity but also as a space for broader local economic growth.

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said that the construction of the fishermen’s village is part of the government’s effort to raise productivity among coastal communities. “Facilities may differ by region since KNMP is thematically adapted to local areas, but the main focus is on productivity. Here in Jatimalang it’s culinary,” he said after inspecting the KNMP Jatimalang culinary kiosks on Thursday 5 March 2026. He added that the programme aligns with government policy to strengthen the economy from the grassroots level.

According to Trenggono, increasing fishermen’s productivity will have a direct impact on the growth of the coastal community’s economy. “If productivity increases, growth will rise. That is what we are aiming for,” he said.

In the Merah Putih Fishermen Village area in Jatimalang, a range of facilities to support fishing activities have been built. These include a fish auction place (TPI), a ship docking area, an ice plant, and a cold storage warehouse to preserve the quality of catches.

In addition, there is a culinary centre, fisherman’s stalls, a ship repair workshop, and an area management office that will become the hub for the village’s management activities.

Head of the Purworejo Regency Environmental and Fisheries Service (DLHP) Wiyoto Harjono said the facilities are designed to support a range of fisher activities, from catching fish to processing and marketing seafood. “Until now, fishermen’s catches have been absorbed directly by the market. With cold storage and an ice plant, catches can be stored longer so their sale value can rise,” said Wiyoto.