Soft-shell crab farming on Banda Aceh coast reaches global markets
Soft-shell crabs cultivated by communities in the coastal area of Meuraxa District, Banda Aceh, have reached markets across the archipelago and are being exported to several Asian countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and China.
“We send them through Medan first, and from there they are exported. It is around 70–100 kilograms per week,” said Banda Aceh soft-shell crab farmer Muhammad Rafli on Friday.
Rafli said the soft-shell crab farming is carried out by rearing juveniles until they moult, and they can be harvested within about 15 days.
“Once the juveniles are released, they can be harvested in about 15 days. A single harvest can reach up to 480 kilograms,” he said.
Rafli has been running the soft-shell crab farm since 2012 together with his parents. In a month, the cultivated juveniles can produce around 960 kilograms.
He said their harvested crabs are sold to Medan first before being exported to meet global market demand. Average demand is around 100 kilograms per week.
In addition to being sent abroad, he said, soft-shell crab production from the Banda Aceh coast is also marketed for domestic needs, including to Jakarta and several cities on Java.
“Besides exports, we also sell to the national market, to Jakarta and several other cities on Java,” Rafli said.
Meanwhile, another soft-shell crab farmer, Liza, said the current selling price is quite promising and can help their economy, especially since soft-shell crabs can be harvested every 15 days.
“The current price is around Rp200,000 per kilogram. With that price, thank God, it has been able to help our economy. Moreover, the harvest period is fast, every 15 days,” Liza said.
On this occasion, the Banda Aceh Food, Agriculture, Marine and Fisheries Agency (DPPKP) expressed full support for farmers in the Aceh provincial capital, whether for crabs, vannamei shrimp or other commodities.
Head of DPPKP Banda Aceh Iskandar said his office routinely assists pond farmers by providing community business development support through fisheries extension officers.
“The government continues to provide support to farmers to improve their businesses, so we provide guidance through extension officers,” he said.
As another form of support, he continued, DPPKP opens opportunities for pond farmers who wish to propose assistance with juveniles and other needs, but they must go through a group and have a foundation, so the process is easier.
“The government will continue to help. Please submit a proposal, but it must go through a group and have a foundation, in accordance with the current grant regulations,” Iskandar said.