National Food Agency emphasises fish protein's role in food diversification strategy
Fish is a quality source of protein, and its consumption needs to be continuously promoted as part of food diversification based on local resources.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has emphasised the role of fish protein in food diversification to improve the nutritional quality of the population, strengthen national food security, and optimise the utilisation of sustainable fisheries resources.
“From a national food perspective, we are encouraging the maintenance of the availability and stability of fish supplies. Fish is a quality source of protein, and its consumption needs to be continuously promoted as part of food diversification based on local resources,” said the Director of Supervision for the Implementation of Food Safety and Quality Standards at Bapanas, Hermawan, in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He made the statement while accompanying a working visit by Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Gresik, East Java.
According to him, strengthening fisheries production in key areas such as Gresik plays an important role in supporting national food availability, especially as a source of animal protein based on fish as part of a food diversification strategy.
He said that from a national food perspective, the fisheries sector makes a significant contribution to maintaining the balance of protein supply for the population.
“Therefore, the sustainability of production at the upstream level is an important factor in maintaining the stability of supply and prices at the consumer level,” he said.
Bapanas believes that the sustainability of production in key areas such as Gresik will have a positive impact on strengthening the national fish supply. This is in line with the government’s efforts to expand the variety of food consumed by the population so that it does not rely on just one commodity.
In addition to strengthening the upstream sector, Hermawan added that strengthening the downstream sector is also very important through ensuring food safety and quality, developing processed products, and efficient distribution.
“Thus, strong production in the region can truly have an impact on increasing consumption and improving the nutrition of the population,” he added.
As one of the national fisheries centres, Gresik has great potential in supporting the supply of fish protein. The area of aquaculture land is recorded at 28,653.27 hectares, consisting of brackish water ponds and freshwater ponds, with more than 20,000 farmers spread across 16 sub-districts.
Aquaculture production in 2025 is expected to reach around 160,439 tons, with a production value of around Rp3.54 trillion. Milkfish is one of the region’s mainstay commodities, with a production of around 90,000 tons per year.
At the same event, Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the DPR RI, Panggah Susanto, said that the need for fertiliser for aquaculture has been included in the subsidy programme of around 29,500 tons nationally and will continue to be strengthened in terms of data and the accuracy of distribution.
According to him, this policy is expected to maintain the productivity of ponds while also strengthening the national fish protein base.
“The aspirations from Gresik have been discussed in the Working Group on Fertiliser and have officially been included in the national subsidy programme,” said Panggah.
“This year, the fertiliser needs for aquaculture are allocated around 29,500 tons nationally. This is a form of our commitment to ensure that the fisheries sector is not left behind,” added Panggah.
Meanwhile, the Regent of Gresik, Fandi Akhmad Yani, said that the return of the fertiliser subsidy allocation brings new optimism to farmers after several years of uncertainty.
He said that for several years, farmers in his region had experienced anxiety due to the cancellation of fertiliser subsidies, while ponds are the backbone of Gresik’s coastal economy.
“With the return of this subsidy allocation, we are optimistic that productivity can return to its optimal level, especially milkfish as the region’s leading commodity,” said Yani.
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