Jakarta, The Indonesia Post – Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir is ready to build Indonesia’s fisheries ecosystem through collaboration between SOEs, the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to the Indonesian Traditional Fishermen Association (KNTI).
“The challenges in the fisheries sector are very complex, we must join the change, if we remain silent, we will not go anywhere,” said Erick when he was a resource person at the KNTI National Conference IV entitled “Collaborative Action to Fulfill the Rights of Traditional Fishermen towards an Independent, Fair Indonesia. , Prosperity (Makmur), and Sustainable (Lestari)”, at the Smesco Tower Building, Jakarta, Tuesday.
Through his written statement, Erick also said that he encouraged SOEs such as Himbara, Perindo, Perinus to PNM to be involved in the ecosystem.
The Minister of State-Owned Enterprises said that fishermen play an important role for the future of the economy and the nation’s food sovereignty. Erick said that 54 percent of the national protein intake was contributed by fishermen through fish and other seafood products.
Erick wants the fisheries ecosystem to emulate the traces of the success of the agricultural ecosystem in the Prosperous Program. Erick said that the integrated Makmur Program from upstream to downstream has reached 200 thousand hectares in four main commodities, namely palm oil, sugar cane, corn and rice.
“By focusing on products that sell well in the market, farmers’ incomes have increased by 46 percent,” said Erick.
Therefore, said Erick, BUMN is determined to realize the welfare of fishermen and map the needs of the nation’s maritime heroes through three initiatives. First, funding fishermen by channeling people’s business loans (KUR) and PNM in the fisheries sector.
Erick said the absorption of KUR in new fishermen was Rp. 2.1 trillion out of the total KUR which reached Rp. 388 trillion. Likewise, Mekaar’s PNM absorption for fishermen was only Rp. 1.6 trillion out of the total allocated allocation of Rp. 46 trillion.
Then, said Erick again, SOEs also support fishery facilities by improving fuel management so that fishermen can access sustainable fuel.
Erick assessed that improving fuel management could cut fishermen’s spending by up to 60 percent.
Erick offered the fishermen to form a cooperative. That way, Pertamina will have clear data in distributing subsidized diesel.
“Don’t let (subsidized diesel) be distributed not for fishermen, but for other people, in the end subsidized fuel is used on a large scale again,” said the former Inter Milan president.
The third point is related to market access. Erick is committed to optimizing all distribution channels, both online and offline. This will have a significant impact on increasing the absorption of fishermen’s products.
Erick also suggested that fishermen start looking for other options in finding fish, one of which is through aquaculture. This is an alternative and anticipatory step in searching for fish in the sea which is often filled with catch uncertainty.
“BUMN is struggling to create a business ecosystem that favors the welfare of fishermen, especially small and traditional fishermen,” said Erick as well.
Erick did not forget to appreciate KNTI for consistently advocating for the welfare of small and traditional fishermen.
“Thank you for your struggle. Congratulations on carrying out the KNTI IV National Conference. Hopefully the thoughts from the KNTI National Conference this time can have a significant impact on all Indonesian fishermen who are advanced, prosperous, and worldwide,” Erick added. (ojn/bbs)
Comment