KKP Builds 40,000 Fish Cultivation Points to Support National Food Self-sufficiency

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono. Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is accelerating the development of inland fish farming as an effort to strengthen national protein self-sufficiency amid increasing global food needs.

The government targets the development of thematic fish cultivation in 40,000 points spread across 500 regencies/cities as an effort to increase domestic protein production while creating new sources of more sustainable economic growth without expanding land opening.

"In order to support national food self-sufficiency, the government encourages the development of thematic inland fish cultivation up to 40,000 points in 500 districts/cities," said Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono in his remarks at the National Coordination Meeting of the National Priority Work Program (PKPN) for the Maritime and Fisheries Sector 2026 at the KKP office, Jakarta, Thursday, July 2.

Trenggono said that the marine and fisheries sector would be one of the main pillars of national food security given that the world's protein needs are expected to continue to increase for decades to come.

"In 2050, the demand for fish will increase, while land-based food is increasingly limited. Therefore, the marine and fisheries sector must be encouraged as a future food source to strengthen national food security," he said.

According to Trenggono, the development of inland fish cultivation is one of the government's priority programs in supporting food self-sufficiency, in line with the national development vision and the President's Astacita.

He explained that the development of fish cultivation was chosen because it could be an alternative to providing more sustainable protein.

This step is considered important considering that the expansion of agricultural land has become one of the main contributors to deforestation in the world.

"Increasing protein production through fish farming is a strategic alternative to strengthen food security without adding pressure to forests and land," he said.

In addition to cultivation development, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries also carries out the red and white fishing village (KNMP) program, salt self-sufficiency, revitalization of cultivation ponds on the North Coast of Java, the construction of an integrated shrimp pond area in Waingapu, East Sumba, and the modernization of 4,582 fishing vessels.

Furthermore, said Trenggono, all of these programs are designed to strengthen the role of the marine and fisheries sector as a pillar of food security while also encouraging economic growth through the implementation of blue economic policies.

"KKP plays a very strategic role in supporting national food security and independence. Therefore, all priority programs that we carry out are directed at strengthening economic growth, creating jobs and improving people's welfare," he said.