There are a lot of catfish products. Through the Gemarikan movement, we want to exhibit the diverse products and show (residents) that catfish can be consumed as snacks nowJakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesians must not avoid consuming catfish as the fish provides several health benefits, Director General of Marine and Fisheries Products’ Competitiveness Artati Widiarti at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has said.
"The price is cheap, yet it (catfish) has high nutrition value; hence, we must not be reluctant to consume catfish because it is a healthy fish," Widiarti stressed here on Tuesday.
She said that according to the Health Ministry, the freshwater fish has high nutritional value: 100 grams of the fish contains protein, natrium, vitamin B12, selenium, phosphorus, and thiamin, as well as a low percentage of fat.
Consuming catfish can boost blood circulation and the integumentary, reproductive, neural, brain, and excretory systems, and also increase bone strength and physical immunity, the official highlighted.
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Widiarti pointed out that East Java residents' fondness for catfish has led to a reduction in stunting prevalence in the region, particularly in Mojokerto, which recorded a 6.9-percent stunting rate in 2021, and Madiun, which reported a 12.4-percent stunting rate.
"To maintain this (positive) trend, we will continue reminding and encouraging residents to be proud to consume catfish," Widiarti said.
Meanwhile, the directorate general's director of production and quality development, Widya Rusyanto, informed that the ministry, through the Gemarikan (Promote eating fish movement) program, has distributed one thousand packages of catfish products in the two regions.
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The catfish products, which originated from local MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), are expected to enhance residents' interest in catfish products and promote a new means of consuming catfish other than frying or roasting it, he said.
"There are a lot of catfish products. Through the Gemarikan movement, we want to exhibit the diverse products and show (residents) that catfish can be consumed as snacks now," Rusyanto added.
The director expressed the hope that by consuming catfish products, residents would become more proud of local MSMEs, economic activities in the fisheries industry would develop further, and Indonesian children would become fond of consuming fish daily.
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Translator: M Razi Rahman, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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