I have urged the Indonesian Fisheries and the National Fisheries to procure fish from the fishermen."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti hopes all parties will be involved in absorbing the fishermens haul and distributing it to various regions in the country in a bid to reduce their costs.

"I have urged the Indonesian Fisheries and the National Fisheries to procure fish from the fishermen," Minister Susi stated on Monday.

The minister believes the regional government, along with the people, should develop a market mechanism that promotes the Village Unit Cooperatives, eventually resulting in optimal haul.

According to the minister, the decrease in the price of fish during the fishing season will lead to a drop in sales, thereby resulting in economically priced fish, such as swordfish, to be used as an ingredient in fish flour.

As reported, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries also plans to focus on reducing up to 60 percent of the feed cost in order to increase the cultivation of freshwater fish in the country.

"In line with Minister Susis directives, the cost of fish feed will have to be reduced by 60 percent from its current price," noted Director General of Fisheries Cultivation of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Slamet Soebjakto.

Soebjakto reiterated that the cost of fish feed constituted 70 to 80 percent of the total funds used by the cultivators.

Soebjakto also affirmed that his party will utilize local resources, as each area and cultivating center has resources that can be used as the core ingredients in place of imported fish flour, such as oil cake, hyacinth, and coconut pulp.

Apart from cultivators, the ministry will also encourage independent fish feed (Pokanri) in order to produce sufficient feed in line with the Indonesian National Standard to meet the cultivators demands in their areas.

Soebjakto further remarked that his party will help boost the growth of Pokanri by providing machinery and prime resources.

The groups chosen to be subsidized will have to fulfill the required criteria, including securing their own field, having a legal board, and providing electrical supply.

The ministry will also be evaluating all Pokanri based on their creativity, continuity, consistency, quality, and the development of their businesses.

(Reported by Muhammad Razi Rahman/Uu.KR-ARC/INE/KR-BSR/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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