The program also aims to make people to be fond of eating fish.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Increasing fish consumption is the easiest way to solve stunting in various regions in the country, a Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry official said.

"The easiest way for the people to fight stunting is by eating seawater, freshwater, or brackish water fish," Director General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry Artati Widiarti stated.in a written statement on Sunday.

She said that the ministry has considered stunting as a real threat to Indonesian children since it can potentially retard brain development.

Stunting can also have various long-term impacts, including mental retardation, low learning abilities, as well as the risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity., she noted

"Hence, we must solve it together to realize Indonesia’s Vision 2045 (by encouraging fish consumption) of which benefit can be enjoyed by our children and grandchildren," she continued.

Thus, she has encouraged the ministry to continue implementing Gemarikan (fond of eating fish) program in the regions which have a high prevalence of stunting.

The director general said Gemarikan program is an assistance and educational program regarding fish consumption, thus people can understand various fishery products.

"The program also aims to make people fond of eating fish," she remarked.

Related news: Governor pushes to increase fish consumption to prevent stunting Fish has a complete nutritional value which is important to help the development of the eyes and brain tissue of children under two years old.

The commodity can also provide necessary nutrition for productive age adolescents and the elderly.

In addition, fish contains vitamins and minerals which help bolster endurance and immunity, especially to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Hence, by consuming fish, we will become healthy, strong and intelligent," Widiarti added.

Meanwhile, Head of the Center for Examining the Utilization of Marine and Fishery Products at the ministry Widya Rusyanto stated that Gemarikan program implementation in Banyumas District, Central Java, earlier had absorbed a number of fishery products made by local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The Gemarikan program will be carried out in 21 provinces from March 2022 to June 2022 to distribute 55,000 packages of Gemarikan assistance.

Earlier, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono encouraged elementary school students to regularly eat fish to fulfil their daily nutritional needs.

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Translator: Razi Rahman, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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