Bapanas promotes fish protein to strengthen food security

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) is pushing greater fish consumption as part of efforts to improve public nutrition and strengthen Indonesia's food security."From a national food perspective, we are encouraging the maintenance of fish supply availability and stability," Hermawan, Director of Supervision of Food Safety and Quality Standards at Bapanas, said in a statement on Wednesday.

He delivered the remarks while accompanying a working visit by Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR) to Gresik, East Java.

Hermawan said fish is a high-quality protein source whose consumption should be continuously increased as part of diversification efforts based on local resources. Strengthening fisheries production in key centers such as Gresik, he added, plays an important role in ensuring the availability of animal protein nationwide.

"Production continuity at the upstream level is crucial to maintaining supply and price stability at the consumer level," he said.

Bapanas noted that sustainable production in fisheries hubs will contribute positively to strengthening national fish supplies and reducing reliance on a single staple commodity.

In addition to upstream production, Hermawan underscored the importance of downstream measures, including food safety assurance, development of processed products, and efficient distribution.

"As a result, strong regional production can have a tangible impact on increasing consumption and improving public nutrition," he added.

As one of Indonesia's fisheries centers, Gresik has significant potential to support fish protein supply. The district has around 28,600 hectares of aquaculture ponds — both brackish and freshwater — with more than 20,000 fish farmers across 16 sub-districts.

Aquaculture production in 2025 is projected to reach about 160,439 tons, valued at approximately Rp3.54 trillion (around US$223 million). Milkfish remains the region's leading commodity, with annual output of about 90,000 tons.

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Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of Commission IV Panggah Susanto said fertilizer for fisheries cultivation has been included in the national subsidy program, with around 29,500 tons allocated this year.

He said improvements in data accuracy and distribution would continue to ensure pond productivity and strengthen the national fish protein base.

"We have discussed aspirations from Gresik in the Fertilizer Working Committee and officially included them in the national subsidy program," Susanto said.

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Gresik District Head Fandi Akhmad Yani welcomed the reinstatement of subsidized fertilizer allocations, saying it brings renewed optimism to fish farmers after years of uncertainty.

He noted that local farmers had faced difficulties following the withdrawal of subsidies, even though fish ponds form the backbone of Gresik's coastal economy.

"With the return of this subsidy allocation, we are optimistic that productivity can return to optimal levels, especially for milkfish, a leading regional commodity," Yani said.