HSU Targets Patin Fish Processing

By Imam Hanafi

Amuntai , South Kalimantan ( Antaranews ) - North Hulu Sungai (HSU) District Government is targeting the 

development of appropriate technology for fish processing to increase the income of farmers.

Head of HSU Fisheries and Livestock Agency (Diskannak) Suriani through a press release on Monday, said the district in desperate need of appropriate technology (TTG) to anticipate the abundance of fresh fish production, so farmers do not lose money.

Suriani claimed to be interested in crackers making technology without frying demonstrated by entrepreneurs from 

Jakarta and Patin fish smoking techniques from Jambi Province.

Although there are many crackers made from fish production  in HSU, such as Gabus fish crackers and duck meat mixture with grouse, but all techniques making are by frying.

"Nowadays consumers are increasingly aware that the tendency of various foods or snacks cooked by frying contain fat and cholesterol that could be detrimental to health, so many consumers are turning to hyegienic and healthy products, " said Suriani.

If this TTG could be applied, said Suriani, it will receive an enthusiastic welcome from local consumers, even for export outside the region because foreign consumers are also observant and careful in consuming healthy foods.

While Patin smoke technology of Jambi will be tried to apply as an effort toward Patin  preservation to be used as food stores for long periods of time.

Patin cultivation area in the village of Palimbang Sari now used as the  Minapolitan location. Every day a peasant can produce six tons of Patin. In fact , there are farmers who produce 22 tons of fish per pond of Patin with a turnover of Rp95 million.

The farmers harvest fish in a different time period, seven months and one year, because it can be harvested when Patin weighs 7.5 ounces up to 1 kg.

The abundance of Patin production is also encouraged HSU Diskannak to think about the process food creations made of Patin, for example, meatball or bakso that usually made from beef can be transferred using Patin fish meat.