Zulhas: Government Focuses on Fish Protein Self-Sufficiency
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkiflar Hasan (Zulhas), stated that this year, the Central Government is focusing on fish protein self-sufficiency after achieving self-sufficiency in carbohydrates.
“This year, the focus is on fish protein, including both wild-caught marine fish and aquaculture,” said Zulhas in Jakarta on Thursday.
Zulhas noted that self-sufficiency in carbohydrates, such as rice and maize, has already been realised; therefore, the government is now attempting to focus on fish protein self-sufficiency.
He explained that achieving self-sufficiency in fish protein, through both aquaculture and wild capture, will be carried out by improving fisheries management, particularly in fishing villages, including the establishment of the ‘Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih’ (Red and White Fishing Village).
Zulhas mentioned that these villages will eventually provide essential needs for fishermen, such as ice factories, cold storage, auction halls, and more.
“We will create fishing villages, because our fishermen currently lack bargaining power,” he said following the National Coordination Meeting for the Acceleration of National Priority Work Programmes (PKPN) for the Marine and Fisheries Sector.
In addition to the fishing villages, Zulhas stated that the government is also striving to develop thematic freshwater aquaculture villages across 40,000 villages as part of the steps towards fish protein self-sufficiency.
“Aquaculture will be distributed across Java and outside Java. There will be initiatives in every village, targeting 40,000 villages in total,” he added.
According to data from the National Food Agency, the average total protein consumption of the Indonesian population is approximately 61.7 to 62.3 grams per capita per day, which meets the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).
However, despite this figure, the proportion of animal protein remains low, with daily animal protein consumption ranging between 17 and 18 grams per capita.
More specifically, according to National Food Agency data, the daily per capita consumption of animal protein for fish, shrimp, and shellfish is approximately 9.58 grams. Red meat and poultry account for about 4.79 grams, while eggs and milk contribute about 3.37 grams.
The Ministry of Health continues to encourage improvements in the quality and daily portions of these nutrients to prevent stunting in children, advising the public to consume at least one piece of fish or two eggs every day.