"It is very promising. I received a report that one hectare can produce 40 tons, with a price of Rp70,000 (US$3.85) per kilogram. That means Rp70 million (US$3,851) per ton," he said in a statement on Saturday.
During the visit, the head of state observed the efficiency of the vannamei shrimp farming system, which can produce 40 tons per hectare at a selling price of Rp70,000 per kilogram.
He expressed optimism regarding the economic potential generated by the ponds with modern management systems.
The Kebumen BUBK was developed using best-practice modern aquaculture concepts, including a seawater intake system, reservoir ponds, separate inlet and outlet channels, and an integrated wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).
This model has proven to optimize production efficiency compared to traditional aquaculture methods.
The facility has also delivered a substantial economic boost to the region. With 206 ponds, it can generate around Rp67.2 billion (US$3.6 million) in production value per cycle, potentially rising to Rp134.4 billion (US$7.3 million) annually under optimal management.
Prabowo also pointed to the project’s strategic value in supporting local employment, in addition to generating revenue. To date, hundreds of people have been employed at the Kebumen BUBK.
"This has been very productive. Currently, 650 local people are employed, and we have already developed 2,000 hectares in Waingapu as well," he added.
The government is currently replicating the success of the Kebumen BUBK model in other regions of Indonesia, including a large-scale project in Waingapu, East Sumba District, East Nusa Tenggara.
Kebumen is now serving as a model for other regions in transforming traditional aquaculture systems into modern, technology-based systems.
The government considers shrimp a strategic commodity with an important role in boosting the competitiveness of Indonesia’s fishery exports in the global market.
With good aquaculture practices, shrimp is expected to become a sustainable source of foreign exchange revenue and a pillar for strengthening national food security in the coming years.
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Translator: Aditya Ramadhan, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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