Increase National Production, KKP Develops Nila Fish Cultivation In Papua

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is developing tilapia fish cultivation in Papua as an effort to increase national aquaculture production.

The Director General (Dirjen) of Aquaculture at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Tb Haeru Rahayu said, apart from the availability of land, the interest in consumption of tilapia in Papua is also high.

"Papua has very wide land potential, including in Jayapura and is suitable for the development of tilapia fish cultivation. In addition, the interest in consumption of tilapia in the Papuan people is very high. It is hoped that this will be able to increase production and economy in Jayapura and Papua in general," said Haeru in a written statement, quoted Friday, March 24.

Haeru hopes that the development of tilapia fish cultivation in Papua will be able to support the increase in national tilapia cultivation production, which is targeted to reach around two million tons by 2023.

In addition, he said, it is also expected to be able to meet the increasing market demand. "In addition to local consumption, this fish is also an export commodity, especially to the United States, which is exported in fillet," he said.

The Director-General added that currently, tilapia fish cultivation is still one of the businesses that is in great demand by the Indonesian people.

This is because the management of cultivation is relatively easy, and these commodities are very attractive to the community and have good durability to disease.

"Tilapia fish are strong fish against disease attacks, maintenance period is only three to four months. Therefore, these commodities are very suitable for becoming a business and a cultivation business in the community, because they are very promising and have a greater chance of generating profits," explained Haeru.

Furthermore, said Haeru, based on trademap in 2021, Indonesia occupies the fifth position as an exporting country for tilapia fish products in the global market.

"In addition to shrimp and other commodities, tilapia will also be a priority for us to continue developing it. Not only for domestic needs, but for exports," he said.

"With the potential for land, labor, available cultivation technology and it has been controlled, as well as the availability of quality guarantees, production and increase in exports, it can be better," concluded Haeru.