Pursuing Protein Self-Sufficiency In 2026, Zulhas: Each Regency Will Have One Tambak
JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan revealed that the government is targeting to self-sufficiency in protein next year according to President Prabowo Subianto's orders.
Next year (provincial self-sufficiency), because we are now just (swasembada) carbohydrates. Next year, sir, we will go all out (chasing the target of self-sufficiency) protein. The President's order, "he said at the BIG Conference 2025 event in Jakarta, Monday, December 8.
To pursue the target of self-sufficiency in protein, he continued, the government will build fish ponds in each district. The government will indeed focus on meeting domestic protein through fish.
"In Java we will build 20,000 hectares of ponds. In 500 districts we will build at least one large pond per district," he said.
On the commemoration of National Fish Day last November, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan revealed that the government will pursue protein self-sufficiency in 2026. This is because protein determines the quality of human resources.
"Next year, we have to be self-sufficient in protein," he said at the 2025 National Fish Day Peak event which was held in Jakarta, Sunday, November 23.
Zulhas, as he is familiarly called, said that proteins are an important foundation for the quality of the nation's intelligence, especially for the younger generation who are studying. He linked nutrition fulfillment to national cognitive abilities.
According to him, the average Quotient Intelligent (IQ) of developed countries is already above 100 points, while Indonesia is still in the range of 80s.
This condition, said Zulhas, must be an alarm for the government to accelerate food independence, especially protein.
"You have to be self-sufficient, then served at the table of our children, trained to be smart. Thus we change. The logic, the IQ changed," he said.
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Zulhas bilang, salah satu kementerian yang diberi mandat untuk mempercepat pemenuhan protein adalah Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan (KKP), mengingat ikan merupakan sumber protein yang mudah diakses masyarakat.
“Jadi tahun depan, Pak Menteri Kelautan dan Wakil, beliau punya tanggung jawab yang besar. Selamat Hari Ikan Nasional. Selamat makan ikan, karena protein penting, menentukan peradaban Indonesia hari ini dan yang akan datang,” tuturnya.
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Zulhas said, one of the ministries mandated to accelerate protein fulfillment is the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), considering that fish are a source of protein that is easily accessible to the public.
"So next year, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Deputy, he has a big responsibility. Happy National Fish Day. Happy fishing, because protein is important, determining Indonesian civilization today and the future," he said.