Ministry designates HSS's Asam as snakehead fish village

Kandangan, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - South Hulu Sungai (HSS) Regent H Achmad Fikry said haruan (snakehead) fish cultivation, including in HSS, is a national program promoted by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) to boost people's economy as well as to control inflation.

"Asam Village has been appointed by the KKP as “Kampung Haruan” (snakehead fish village). Why haruan, because the fish has a big role in our inflation and our area is considered technically able to carry out its farming,” he said, Wednesday (7/7) morning.

As is known, haruan fish in HSS has become one of the favorites traded in the local market. Haruan is the main menu of HSS's culinary special, Ketupat Kandangan (rice cake served with eggs, haruan, and thick soup made with coconut milk and spices). It's also one of the most popular in South Kalimantan.

Sometimes, because of the lack of availability in the market, some people turn to giant snakehead fish (locally known as tauman) as a side dish for Ketupat Kandangan.

Haruan fish (Channa striata) has various benefits and nutrients for the body. This fish has a high albumin content in addition to its abundant protein. Albumin plays an important role as part of blood plasma protein that functions as a nutrient transport agent.

“Hopefully with the existence of “Kampung Haruan” it can provide haruan needs for our community, and the availability of haruan, as well as the problem of inflation in our area, can be overcome,” he said.

He asked the Asam Village head and the Haruan Fish Farmers Group of the Asam Village to carry out the program seriously because there are things that need attention regarding the high mortality of haruan fish.

The seriousness is needed, because the cultivation of haruan takes a long time to produce, unlike tilapia or catfish in two months they can be harvested.

Deputy Regent Syamsuri Arsyad, the District Secretary H Muhammad Noor, and Head of Fisheries Agency H Saidinor reviewed the planned location of the haruan fish nursery in Asam Village, Sungai Raya Sub-district.