Fishery Startups Help Bridge Market Problems

ILLUSTRATION / BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) supports the presence of fisheries startups. Startups are considered capable of helping fishermen and providing added value to fishery products.

Currently there are more than 700 fishery startups in Indonesia. Among them, more than 30 startups are members of the digifish network.

KKP's Director General of Aquaculture, Slamet Soebjakto, stated that the role of millennials as startups is very central in the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially in encouraging the leverage of economic added value for fish cultivators in particular.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on the supply chain, causing commodity prices at the cultivator level to fall, the reason is that the market is limited due to many closings. However, the presence of startups can bridge market problems," he said, in Jakarta, Saturday, 19 December.

The creation of an online market, according to Slamet, really helps the absorption of products and of course has an effect on the revival of cultivation business activities.

There are at least five important roles for startups that will continue to be encouraged, namely ensuring market certainty, encouraging quality raw materials. Then, strengthen product traceability, encourage investment through crowdfunding schemes, and ensure a more efficient supply chain.

"This real contribution can be seen from its role as a market buffer through online market networks (e-commerce), especially during the COVID-19 pandemic," he explained.

KKP stated that it is ready to encourage the growth and development of fisheries startups in Indonesia. Slamet said that innovation is essential to boost national economic growth, especially the potential for fishery resources, especially aquaculture.

Meanwhile, Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Bambang Brojonegoro, reminded the importance of transforming the development approach from Resource Economic Based to Innovation Economic Based.

According to Bambang, this step is important to make Indonesia a developed country and get out of the middle income country.

"The government will promote the triple helix strategy in realizing innovation as a source of economic strength in the future, namely strengthening the role of the government, academia and industry," he said.

According to Bambang, his party has also initiated the Indonesian Startup Innovation program by empowering start-ups such as Aruna Marketplace, e-fishery, growpal and others.

"The potential for the marine and fisheries sector is extraordinary, so we need to focus on working on it optimally," he said.