Ministry upgrading five Lebak fishing villages under KNMP program

hartono · Sep 4, 2026

Ministry upgrading five Lebak fishing villages under KNMP program

Capture Fisheries Management Division Head at the Lebak Fisheries Office, Rizal Ardiansyah. ANTARA/Mansyur

Lebak (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has begun upgrading five villages in Lebak District, Banten, under the Red and White Fishing Village (KNMP) program to boost coastal economies and community welfare.

Launched in 2025 as a national priority, KNMP aims to transform fishing villages nationwide into modern, productive, and competitive hubs through facility upgrades and expanded market access.

The Lebak Fisheries Office stated on Friday that the ministry had extended the program to Muara, West Bayah, Darmasari, Sawarna, and Cireunde villages in the district.

Head of the office’s Capture Fisheries Management Division Rizal Ardiansyah noted that the upgrades began two weeks ago, with foundation work ongoing and expected to conclude before December 2026.

He explained that construction covers boat moorings, fish landing facilities, ice factories, culinary centers, fishing supply kiosks, docks, repair shops, management offices, waste disposal sites, refrigerated warehouses, and wastewater treatment plants.

The facilities are expected to help fishers cut operational costs, he said, highlighting persistent difficulties in maintaining catch quality for favorable selling prices due to inadequate storage.

He expressed confidence that cold storage facilities would enable fishers to significantly increase their earnings.

Regarding the development of ice factories, Ardiansyah said the plants are expected to eliminate the need for fishers to travel beyond their villages to acquire ice for their catches, thereby lowering operational costs and improving work efficiency.

He also highlighted the potential to foster an integrated fisheries landscape by connecting KNMPs with other flagship initiatives of President Prabowo Subianto, particularly the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP) program and the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.

Ardiansyah noted that KDMPs could absorb catches from KNMP fishers to supply protein-rich ingredients to MBG kitchens.

“We are convinced the fishing villages will economically empower fishers and coastal residents and contribute to poverty alleviation,” he concluded.

Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono reported that 100 KNMP sites had completed development as of mid-August, noting that the government targets increasing the number to 1,269 by the end of 2026.

He added that President Prabowo is expected to inaugurate the completed fishing villages.

The ministry has also launched operational trials at 65 KNMPs, generating 273.6 tons of fish valued at Rp11.10 billion (around US$620,000).