Coordinating Minister Zulhas: Government Will Build 20 Thousand Hectares Of Tambak In Java Island Until The End Of 2025

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs (Menko Pangan) Zulkifli Hasan or Zulhas said the government would build 20 thousand hectares of ponds in Java until the end of 2025.

He said the ponds would be used for fisheries to support food adequacy, especially on the protein side.

"For fish, there are a lot of (locations) on the island of Java. This year, we can't do it at once. This year 20 thousand, 20 thousand is a big job," said Zulhas in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, April 8.

The Coordinating Minister for Food said that the construction of the 20 thousand hectares of ponds would use old ponds that had been abandoned along the North Coast of Java (Pantura).

According to him, there are 70 thousand hectares of unused ponds for decades. The pond used to be used for windu shrimp farming.

"There are 70 thousand hectares that are no longer used. In the past, there used to be windu shrimp, it was revitalized for fish," he said.

For areas outside Java, the Government will build ponds for shrimp farming and others, especially capture fisheries.

Furthermore, said Zulhas, the Government will also build feed factories to maintain the production of chicken and fish. The feed factory will also be able to absorb corn from farmers.

"The government will also participate in developing feed. Also, if the government can control it like Bulog, (the price) will not only be determined by one or two parties, but later there will be competition to compete in price," said Zulhas.