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Penajam Paser Utara (Antara) – The fisheries cultivation group, Maju Bersama, in Waru Village, Penajam Paser Utara Regency, East Kalimantan Province, has a strong desire to improve the local economy through freshwater fish farming.
The group uses a floating net cage system to cultivate catfish, tilapia, and gourami. This fish farming initiative is carried out privately as well as through the Pokdakan, which consists of 33 households in four neighbourhood associations (RT) in the local area. The cultivation of freshwater fish began in 2018.
The initial start of freshwater fish farming with modest capital, relying on catfish production, only yielded 10 kilograms in one month, up until 2021.
In 2022, the Pokdakan Maju Bersama freshwater fish farm, led by Joko Sudrajad, slowly grew with the assistance as a fostered partner of PT Waru Kaltim Plantation (WKP), a subsidiary of the oil palm plantation company PT Astra Agro Lestari, which encouraged this development.
Through continuous guidance from the oil palm plantation company in the form of equipment and tools, the development of fish hatcheries, and the marketing of production products, the farm was able to increase production yields, leading to increased income.
Eko Andrianto, Administrator of PT WKP, stated that the coaching and mentoring program of Pokdakan Maju Bersama is a demonstration of the company’s commitment to the community in the surrounding area.
He emphasized that community empowerment is a key part of the company’s dedication to improving various aspects of community life, including education, economy, socio-culture, environment, health, and infrastructure.
Furthermore, the Maju Bersama group has expanded its operations beyond freshwater fish farming to include the breeding of freshwater fish seeds.
The fish seed nursery is currently in operation for tilapia seeds, and preparations are underway to breed Sangkuriang catfish seeds. The goal is to eliminate the need to purchase fish seeds for cultivation in the future, and it is expected that the developed fish seeds will also fulfill the requirements of fish farmers cultivating other freshwater fish.
Relying on Catfish Cultivation
Pokdakan Maju Bersama is dedicated to developing freshwater fish farming to enhance the well-being of the group and the local community. This initiative aims to collectively improve the economy through freshwater fish farming.
To date, Pokdakan Maju Bersama has acquired 35 floating net cages, which include eight 2×3 m cages and 17 2×4 m cages. Additionally, there are 4 2×3 m tarpaulin ponds for tilapia seed nurseries. These ponds are used for the separation of fish seed sizes and for adjusting fish seeds before they are stocked in the floating net cages.
Pokdakan Maju Bersama owns 35 floating net cages, with 19 containing catfish seeds and six containing tilapia seeds. Additionally, they have a 2×4 m land pond dedicated to gourami production.
Each floating net cage and earthen pond is stocked with around 2,500 fish seeds. Catfish are harvested every 10 days, while tilapia and gourami are harvested every 30 days.
Pokdakan Maju Bersama specializes in producing Sangkuriang catfish, with each floating cage yielding approximately 200 to 300 kilograms of catfish every 10 days.
The catfish are harvested using a ladder system, with 19 floating net cages sown with catfish seeds. In one month, approximately one tonne of Sangkuriang catfish can be harvested using this method. Each floating net cage can earn around Rp6,000,000 in 10 days.
On the other hand, the yield of tilapia fish is not as high, with only about 50 kilograms harvested from one floating net cage in a month. There are a total of six floating net cages, resulting in a combined harvest of 300 kilograms. Similarly, gourami fish stocked in one earthen pond can only yield 50 kilograms in one month.
One of the factors influencing the fish farming production and profits of Pokdakan Maju Bersama is the reliance on industrial or factory products for fish feed.
The cost of fish feed is a significant factor in freshwater fish farming. Currently, the price of fish feed has reached Rp380,000 per 30-kilogram sack, and it is subject to frequent and rapid fluctuations. In fact, 60% of the production cost of fish farming is determined by the variable feed cost. This makes the feed cost a crucial factor influencing the overall sustainability, profitability, and welfare of freshwater fish farmers.
Independent Fish Feed Production
The increasing cost and reliance on factory fish feed is a significant issue for farmers, especially as fish prices remain stable. For instance, 30 kilograms of fish feed priced at Rp380,000 can only sustain fish for four days across 35 floating net cages, eight tarpaulin ponds, and one land pond owned by Pokdakan Maju Bersama.
In response to this challenge, Pokdakan Maju Bersama is exploring the possibility of producing its own fish feed using locally available raw materials and repurposed items. The organization has taken the initiative to innovate and create feed production machines utilizing used materials found in the area.
Initially, it designed an unused diesel engine, modified to have four working mechanisms, to produce pellets that are ready to be used for fish feed.
The Pokdakan Maju Bersama innovation machine is labeled SINTAPIBABE (fish feed making machine from used goods).
The main raw materials also utilize local materials mostly from waste that has a significant effect on providing nutrition for pet fish, consisting of runcah fish (small fish caught accidentally by fishermen and not used).”
“First, soybean hulls (soya meal), cassava, or red pumpkin (to be used as tapioca), chicken feathers, chicken bones, and large fish bones are processed into flour. Then, SINTAPIBABE is used to make pellets for fish feed. In one hour, SINTAPIBABE can produce 50 kilograms of fish feed with the necessary nutritional content for pet fish. It is capable of meeting the needs of all floating net cages, tarpaulin ponds, and land ponds owned by Pokdakan Maju Bersama, specifically for catfish, tilapia, and gourami.”
By producing local fish feed, Pokdakan Maju Bersama has been able to reduce spending on fish feed by 50 to 60 percent.
The development of using recycled goods and waste for fish feed by Pokdakan Maju Bersama has received support from PT WKP. As a result of this innovation, Pokdakan Maju Bersama was awarded first place in the fisheries category at the Astra 2024 Festival.
PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk’s social responsibility is divided into four pillars: education, health, economy, and environment.
PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk’s social responsibility is based on four pillars: education, health, economy, and environment.
Pokdakan Maju Bersama is committed to developing innovative pellet-making techniques to increase fish feed production, meeting the demand for fish feed in the Penajam Paser Utara Regency.
It’s time to empower fish farmers to become independent, ultimately leading to improved community welfare.
source: kaltim.antaranews.com
