Palembang, The Indonesia Post – The Province of South Sumatra is not only has potential in agriculture and plantations. This area-which well known as the energy barn, also has the potential to become a fishery barn.
South Sumatra already have a number of requirements to become a fish-producing area. Potensials both in natural resources and human resources (HR).
South Sumatra currently has land public waters (PUD) reaching 2.5 million hectares. Widest in Southeast Asia. Not only that, South Sumatra also has about 233 types of fish species scattered in 9 major rivers. Which is often called the Batang Hari Sembilan River. With fish production in 2016 reached 119,887.8 tons.
Quoting the official website of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, South Sumatra also has capture fisheries production of 189,469.30 tons, plus a fishermen exchange rate of 115.5. Plus aquaculture production of 415,720 tons. Followed by superior seed or parent production amounting to 338,200,000, and processed marine and fishery products amounting to 176,196.25 tons. This is really quite a fishery potential.
For human resources, South Sumatra has now established the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). Or what is now better known as the Mainland Public Aquatic Fisheries Research Institute. The location is on Jalan KH Bastari No 08, Jakabaring. Wich was a sub urban area but has now turned into a dense and bustling area. In addition, several areas such as Musi Rawas is suitable for fisheries development.
“All types of fish can be cultivated in South Sumatra. Belida fish can now be reproduced, baung fish, snakehead fish, grouper fish can be cultivated. It remains only the seriousness of the stakeholders so that these fish continue to grow and maintain their existence,” said Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo on official website of kkp.go.id.
With such a large potential, South Sumatra should be able to become an energy barn as well as a barn for agriculture and fisheries. Moreover, the agricultural and livestock sectors are two sectors that have been proven to be able to withstand the covid-19 pandemic storm.
However, the South Sumatra government needs to find ways to package the agricultural and livestock sector attractive to millennials. In order to emerge reliable young entrepreneurs in both fields. So that agriculture and livestock are no longer considered a side business. A marginalized bussiness. Hard business. Or the business of the villagers. (mhn/bbs)
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