Unri Students Digitise Fisheries in Agam, Boosting Local Economy

Students from Universitas Riau (Unri) are helping the community of Nagari Koto Kaciak in Agam Regency, West Sumatra, develop the fisheries sector through digitalisation and adaptive cultivation approaches. The programme is led by Rizki Oktavian, the group leader and assistant expert lecturer in the Marine Science Department of Unri’s Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, introducing the BPSMT-DIGIFISH system—a micro-scale integrated fisheries cultivation based on a digital ecosystem. Rizki explained that the local community has long faced classic issues such as low fisheries productivity and unintegrated supply chains. Additionally, the conventional methods used are considered vulnerable to disruptions, especially during disasters. “Through this system, we combine digital technology with an ecosystem-based approach tailored to the local community’s needs,” he stated in a comment from Jakarta on Saturday. In its implementation, the students introduced a bucket-based recirculating fish cultivation method. This system enables the community to produce food independently on limited land, using simple and flexible techniques. Another advantage of the system is its portability. The cultivation containers can be easily moved in the event of disaster threats, making it an adaptive solution for areas with specific geographical risks. According to Rizki, the introduced technology is not just a production tool but also an educational medium to change the community’s mindset towards more modern and sustainable business systems. In addition to cultivation aspects, the students are also promoting value addition through collaboration with local micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM). Fishery products are processed into ready-to-eat items with higher economic value. One developed product is “LEMBUKU” or spiced yellow catfish, processed from the harvest and packaged more attractively with business legality. Product marketing is conducted through digital platforms, opening up broader market access and increasing income potential compared to traditional sales methods. The programme involves around 50 students with a total of 160 effective working hours, covering production activities, business management, and integrated digital marketing.