Indonesian govt targets 4,000 fish farms to support meal program

hartono · Sep 2, 2026

Indonesian govt targets 4,000 fish farms to support meal program

Government Communications Agency (Bakom) Head Muhammad Qodari (left) and Deputy Minister of Migrant Workers Protection Christina Aryani during a press conference in Jakarta, Wednesday (September 2, 2026). ANTARA/Prisca Triferna

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government plans to expand its Thematic Inland Fish Cultivation Program to 4,000 locations in 2026 to meet domestic fish demand and support the Free Nutritious Meal program.

The program currently covers 100 locations across West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java, Government Communications Agency Head Muhammad Qodari told journalists here Wednesday.

Qodari said the program aims to increase domestic fish supplies while supporting the Free Nutritious Meal program, known as MBG.

Catfish and tilapia are prioritized because they are relatively easy to farm and have short production cycles, Qodari said.

In 2025, the program was managed through Red and White Village Cooperatives, involving farmers, cooperative managers, workers, hatchery operators, feed suppliers, processors and local marketers.

For 2026, village governments will receive the program and may involve residents, community groups, village-owned enterprises and Red and White Village Cooperatives.

Harvests will be sold through cooperatives or managing institutions to Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units, traditional markets, processors, restaurants and retail networks.

Qodari said the program is expected to increase fish production, create jobs, raise community incomes, strengthen village economies and improve access to protein.

The Maritime and Fisheries Ministry previously said it was continuing to develop the thematic fish cultivation program to strengthen protein supplies for MBG.

The program is designed to increase aquaculture production and stimulate local economies, Maritime and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said.

He said the program would integrate aquaculture with village economies, providing farmers with greater business certainty while expanding access to markets.