Indonesia can cultivate tilapia in 78 thousand hectares along Pantura

Karawang (ANTARA) – Indonesia wields the potential of using an area of 78 thousand hectares stretching along the Java north coastal area (Pantura) for cultivating saline tilapia fish, according to Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono.

“We can use a 78 thousand-hectare area in Pantura for producing around four tons (of saline tilapia) per cycle,” he remarked during the inauguration of a saline tilapia cultivation model in Karawang, West Java, on Wednesday.

The cultivation model was born from the revitalization of a shrimp pond on an area of 80 hectares. The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry began conducting research in 2021 before transforming the pond into the tilapia cultivation model.

The minister underlined that Indonesia possesses huge potential to promote its saline tilapia both in domestic and international markets.

According to data presented by his ministry, the potential global market value of tilapia this year stands at US$14.46 billion and is projected to hit US$23.02 billion in the next decade.

In 2023, the United States imported tilapia, with a total value reaching US$849 million; Mexico, US$152 million; the European Union, US$130 million; Middle Eastern countries, US$128 million; and Ivory Coast, US$73 million.

Trenggono then highlighted the Indonesian government’s target of the country determining at least one featured commodity to be cultivated in unused ponds in Pantura.

In that regard, he expressed belief that saline tilapia is a promising commodity, given its resilience against a range of diseases.

“We should have one valuable commodity whose quantity is significant. We cannot afford to be stuck with small industries that are incapable of meeting high demands and standards. Hence, we are pushing for a shift of mindset,” he emphasized.

Translator: Maria C, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2024

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