Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries allocates Rp10 billion for fisheries reconstruction in Agam
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia has allocated approximately Rp10 billion to accelerate the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the fisheries sector affected by disasters in Agam Regency, West Sumatra.
Andy Artha Donny Oktopura, Secretary General of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, stated in Lubuk Basung on Saturday that the assistance includes one excavator unit valued at Rp1.44 billion, fish seeds, fish feed, cool boxes for 18 groups, 60 units of gill nets, and other equipment. “This assistance is a form of commitment from both the central and regional governments to accelerate the recovery of aquaculture, fishing, and fish processing impacted by the disasters in Agam,” he said.
He noted that the provided excavator will assist the Agam Regency Government and fish farmers in repairing irrigation channels and ponds that have sustained moderate to heavy damage and cannot be repaired independently by the community. He explained that the operational responsibility for the equipment lies with the Agam Regency Government, ensuring that the restoration of water channels and ponds can proceed immediately. Once the ponds have been rehabilitated, further assistance in the form of fish seeds and feed will be provided.
According to data obtained, 96 hectares of aquaculture land in Agam were damaged by flash floods and are now ready for operational use. He mentioned that with this assistance, fish farmers, fishermen, and fish processing groups can resume operations, thereby improving their economic conditions. All assistance is provided free of charge, as the government’s presence is intended to revitalise the economy of the disaster-affected community.
“The Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has tasked me with ensuring the accelerated reconstruction and operationalisation of aquaculture, fishing, and processing activities in West Sumatra, particularly in Agam,” he added.
Agam Regent Benni Warlis added that the excavator would be immediately utilised to rehabilitate fish ponds buried under debris from flash floods in the Tanjung Raya District. The Agam Food Security and Fisheries Office will conduct data collection on ponds that have completed rehabilitation and those still awaiting work. “For fish farmer ponds that have not yet been realised, we will immediately deploy the heavy machinery to remove material, after which they will receive assistance with fish seeds and feed,” he said.
He acknowledged that the assistance from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is highly beneficial for farmers, fishermen, and processing groups affected by the hydrometeorological disasters that hit Agam in late November 2025. “I would like to express my gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto for allocating assistance to Agam, allowing the community to return to normal life,” he concluded.