Pangkalpinang (ANTARA) - Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency, Sahat M. Panggabean, released 15 thousand tilapia fingerlings into a former tin ore mine in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Islands province (Babel), to support regional food security.“This is a good model for improving food security for the local community,” he said at the Bangka Botanical Garden (BBG) in Pangkalpinang on Saturday.
He described the release of the tilapia fingerlings into the BBG area as an effective way to support food security and educate the public about cultivating the freshwater fish.
The BBG area is managed by the Military District Command (Kodim) 0413/Bangka as an agro-tourism destination.
“Earlier, the Kodim 0413 head of staff mentioned that this 200-hectare area is not only for fisheries but also for horticultural crops, fruits, and other crops,” he added.
Baca juga: Zulhas urges governors to hold monthly meetings on village co-ops
Panggabean informed that the underwater underpass in the Pangkalpinang city BBG area has been converted into a highly attractive fish farming pond, and has become a tourist destination for both local residents and domestic tourists.
“We certainly support this, as it is part of the national program to improve community food security,” he added.
Baca juga: Free health checks to protect student health, minister says
Developing food security at the household level can also involve utilizing empty yards to grow vegetables, chilies, and other crops, he added.
“Actually, food security is quite easy, and people can start at the household level by growing vegetables or cultivating freshwater fish,” he said.