"Tilapia or gold black fish should continue to become one of Indonesia's main commodities in the global market. We have to continue to improve its productivity," Marine Affairs and Fishery Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said.
Public demand for tilapia has continued to increase, he noted in an official statement released on Monday.
In addition to local consumption, export demand for tilapia commodities, especially in the United States in the form of fillets, is also high.
To continue to improve tilapia production, the ministry is supporting tilapia cultivation, aquaculture fisheries director general T.B. Haeru Rahayu informed.
This has come in the form of quality fish seeds and broodstock support, independent fish feed, technological support as well as certification.
The ministry is also supporting quality seed supply by reforming the seed logistics system at the cultivation production center.
Moreover, the ministry has introduced tilapia production improvement technology through fish cultivation technology, biofloc, so that it can be made more affordable for the people.
Technical Acting Units (UPT DJPB) of the Directorate General of Aquaculture Fisheries, such as the Sukabumi Freshwater Aquaculture Fisheries Center (BBPBAT), are also carrying out a tilapia broodstock breeding program through selection.
"One of the innovations is Nile tilapia, which can be cultivated by using a former pond, which has been idle due to declining land quality," he said.
He added that one of the ministry's strategies for improving national tilapia production is the development of region-based tilapia cultivation, the Nile tilapia cultivation village program, and the freshwater tilapia cultivation village program.
Tilapia has several advantages, such as tolerance to environmental conditions, good growth capacity, the capability to be cultivated in freshwater and brackish water, high proteins, and competitive price.
Related news: Live fish exports from Maluku increase 50.8 percent: BKIPM
Related news: Tilapia production boosted to meet global demand: Minister
Translator: Sinta Ambarwati, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
