Indonesia's Maritime Ministry pushes national collaboration for food self-sufficiency

Indonesia's Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, has called for strengthened national collaboration among government agencies, local authorities, businesses, academics, and the public. The aim is to accelerate the implementation of priority national programs within the maritime and fisheries sector, crucial for achieving national food self-sufficiency.

Speaking at a national coordination meeting, Trenggono highlighted the strategic role of the maritime and fisheries sector in supporting national development agendas and President Prabowo Subianto's 'Asta Cita' (eight priority goals). The sector contributes to food sovereignty through fish protein and salt provision, fosters sustainable economic growth, reduces poverty, and enhances human resource quality.

To bolster food self-sufficiency, the ministry is consolidating six key national priority programs. These include establishing 5,000 'Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih' (Red and White Fishing Villages) by 2029 to boost coastal economies, developing 40,000 freshwater fish farming sites across 500 districts/cities, and increasing national salt production by developing 2,000 hectares of salt pans to reduce import dependency. Additionally, programs focus on revitalizing Java's northern coast fish ponds, developing integrated shrimp farms in Waingapu, and modernizing fishing vessels to improve productivity and competitiveness.

Trenggono stressed that these programs are implemented using a bottom-up approach, ensuring active involvement of communities and local stakeholders from planning to evaluation. This method guarantees that initiatives address local needs and potential, foster a sense of ownership, and enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of development in coastal areas.

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This forum has important and strategic meaning as a space for national consolidation to unite direction, strengthen coordination, and ensure the implementation of KKP's priority activities in 2026 runs faster, more targeted, and provides real benefits to the community.