Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - The Banjarmasin Food Security, Agriculture and Fisheries Office (DKP3) provided youth-based fish farming food security programs to train a total 100 school and university students, Islamic boarding school students, and youth organizations.
The technical guidance was opened by Deputy Mayor Hj Ananda and presenting sourcepersons from Banjarmasin DKP3, the South Kalimantan Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office, Mandiangin Freshwater Aquaculture Center (BPBAT), and the local Fish Seed Center (BBI).
Sulaiman Thalib, Head of Fisheries of the Banjarmasin DKP3, here on Wednesday said the technical guidance was held on September 17-18 to address the challanges of regenerating of fish farmers amidst the increasing population and demand for fish.
Read also: Banjarmasin govt releases 25,000 fish seeds supporting conservation
“Out main challanges are the lack of interest in fisheries among young generation and conversion of land into housing. In fact, freshwater fish is easy to cultivate and offers a promising market,” he said.
Without intervention, he said, Banjarmasin could potentially face shortage in fish and become dependent on supplies from outsiden the region.
Sulaiman explaianed that the participants received the materials covering theory and practice, from fish selection, pond construction, feed, pest and disease control, to business analysis.
Participants also received training on pond construction simulation, seed distribution, and water quality control.
Read also: South Kalimantan DKP, UMB launch downstream product of snakehead fish
Participants came from various groups, including Pemuda Tani Indonesia (Indonesian Young Farmers), Indonesian Young Farmers Movement (Gempita), Karang Taruna (Youth Organization), students from Al Ikhsan Islamic Boarding School, and young members of fish farming groups in Banjarmasin.
The technical guidance was initiated by Fisheries Business Empowerment Working Group (KKPUP) Sobat Kelabau fostered by Banjarmasin DKP3, supported by PT AKR Corporindo Tbk, and under direction of Banjarmasin Mayor H M Yamih HR.
“Hopefully with this technical guidance, young people will no longer underestimate fisheries sector. They can become expert, entrepreneurs, and even sociopreneur who advance national fisheries,” said Sulaiman.
He hopes this activitiy will create new jobs, increase fish production in Banjarmasin City, and simultaneously create an independent young generation that contributes to regional food security.
Read also: Banjarmasin govt pushes tarpaulin pond for fish farming
