Zulhas says government focused on boosting fishermen's income

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, known as Zulhas, stated that the government is focused on increasing the income of fishermen, as this occupation currently has the lowest earnings.

“This year we are focused on increasing our fishermen’s income,” Zulhas said during a press conference on the Financial Note and Draft State Budget for the 2027 fiscal year in Jakarta on Friday.

According to him, available data shows that the Fishermen’s Exchange Rate (NTN) stands at 103, making it the lowest among all occupations. To address this, the government will improve the NTN by building between 1,300 and 2,000 fishing villages.

He explained that these villages will be equipped with various facilities to support fishing activities, including ports, fish auction sites, cold storage rooms, workshops, marine product processing facilities, housing, and social amenities.

“We will build 1,300 to 2,000 fishing villages,” he stated.

In addition to constructing fishing villages, Zulhas said the government is also developing thematic fish farming targeting 40,000 villages across Indonesia. He noted that these measures are being taken so that Indonesian fishermen can enjoy the fruits of their labour and experience improved welfare.

“Gradually, we will develop thematic aquaculture in 40,000 villages,” he said.

President Prabowo Subianto previously targeted 1,386 ‘red and white’ fishing villages to be established and operational by the end of December 2026, as part of efforts to improve fishermen’s welfare while optimising Indonesia’s marine economic potential.

“Today, 100 fishing villages have been built. Our target is for 1,386 fishing villages to be standing and functioning by the end of December 2026,” Prabowo said during his State Address at the 2026 Annual Session of the MPR and Joint Session of the DPD and DPR in Jakarta on Friday.

The President assessed that the construction of fishing villages is an important part of making the sea a source of prosperity for Indonesian fishermen. He noted that the value of Indonesia’s fisheries reaches approximately 34 billion US dollars annually, yet only about five percent of this potential is currently enjoyed by Indonesia, with the rest being taken by unauthorised foreign vessels.