Zulhas Says Fishermen Are Now the Poorest Group, Government to Build 2,000 Fishermen's Villages

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has declared that fishermen are currently the most impoverished group in Indonesia, prompting the government to prioritise their welfare after achieving successes in the rice and maize sectors. Speaking at a dialogue in Jakarta on Saturday, Zulhas noted that the fishermen’s exchange rate remains low at 103, indicating their welfare lags significantly behind other groups.

Zulhas identified the primary problem not as the ability to catch fish, but the weak bargaining position of fishermen when selling their catch. He explained that fishermen are often forced to sell to middlemen at prices far below market value. ‘The fishermen are great at going to sea, but when they return with a large catch, they are forced to sell to middlemen. A fish worth Rp 20,000 is bought for just Rp 10,000. They suffer a loss but have no power to refuse,’ he said.

To tackle this, the government plans to build 2,000 ‘Fishermen’s Villages’ (Kampung Nelayan) starting this year. These villages will be equipped with auction halls, ice plants, and subsidised diesel fuel stations. Zulkifli Hasan also highlighted that the facilities would allow fishermen to store their catch in cold storage rather than selling immediately at low prices, with cooperatives later purchasing the fish at a profit. He expressed hope that this programme would replicate the success seen in the rice and maize sectors.