East Kalimantan makes Berau a pilot project for affordable fish to combat stunting

East Kalimantan is piloting a program in Berau to tackle stunting by providing affordable fish protein. Governor Rudy Mas'ud announced the initiative, emphasizing the need to fulfill family nutrition through the abundant local fish resources.

"Berau will be a pilot project for providing affordable high-protein food through a cheap fish market. Hopefully, this step will soon be followed by other regencies and cities," Mas'ud stated. He noted that while East Kalimantan possesses vast marine and freshwater fishing potential, it remains largely untapped.

The provincial government, collaborating with local leaders like Berau Regent Sri Juniarsih Mas, is committed to ensuring fishery products serve the community directly, particularly for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children to prevent stunting. "Our fishery products must directly benefit the community, especially pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children to prevent stunting," he said.

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Berau will be a pilot project for providing affordable high-protein food through a cheap fish market. Hopefully, this step will soon be followed by other regencies and cities.

Mas'ud stressed that fish is a crucial source of animal protein for child development and preventing fetal growth restriction. Local fish offer comparable nutrition to imported options at a much lower cost. To maximize the program, he urged regional heads and provincial agencies to expand fish consumption campaigns, targeting posyandus (integrated health posts), schools, and homemaker communities. Developing local small and medium enterprise (SME) processed fish products is also key to increasing children's interest in eating fish. Relevant agencies must ensure fresh fish and affordable food reach remote and coastal areas.

In addition to fisheries, the provincial government regularly holds subsidized food markets and integrated market operations in densely populated and nutritionally vulnerable areas. These programs offer essential goods like rice, eggs, cooking oil, and vegetables at below-market prices.

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Our fishery products must directly benefit the community, especially pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children to prevent stunting.