Digital start-ups, which have entered the fishery sector, are still lacking compared to the education and health sector, although the potential (in fishery) is enormous.
Cirebon, W Java (ANTARA) - The Communication and Informatics Ministry has provided training to shrimp farmers in Cirebon District, West Java Province, on using sensors to monitor water quality, which is expected to increase production and reduce losses.

"We are helping farmers to utilize sensor technology to oversee the condition of the water used by shrimp farmers," Director General of Digital Economy of the ministry I Nyoman Adhiarna said here at the Farmer’s Digital 4.0 Harvest on Thursday.

The pilot project is a collaboration among the Communication and Informatics Ministry, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, as well as a technology start-up in the fisheries sector.

The water sensor technology can be used to measure pH levels, acidity, and other water quality aspects, which may affect shrimp farming, considering that the commodity is very dependent on healthy water, he explained.

According to research conducted by the start-up, the use of water sensor technology can make the shrimp cultivation process more efficient and make shrimp growth and development more even, he pointed out.

"Because shrimp is a commodity which is sensitive to (changes in) water conditions, such as pH levels greatly determines the growth and development of shrimp, hence this technology is applied to facilitate the farmers," he said.

He informed that the training on the application of water sensor technology is being carried out at several locations.

The ministry is hoping that afterward, the farmers would implement the knowledge they receive during the training.

There are only a handful of technology start-ups in the fishery sector, Adhiarna noted.

Hence, more start-ups must be encouraged to get involved in the sector, especially since technology and information infrastructure are adequate now, he said.

"Digital start-ups, which have entered the fishery sector, are still lacking compared to the education and health sector, although the potential (in fishery) is enormous," he added.

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Translator: Khaerul Izan, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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