Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - The South Kalimantan Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office (DKP) has distributed a total of 150 kg of patin or tra fish for free to residents at a low-cost market at the yard of Mahligai Pancasila Building, Banjarmasin, Saturday.
Martiah Akhdianti, Head of Fisheries Processing and Marketing of the Office, said the provincial government is committed to improving public nutrition by distributing fresh fish for free.
"A total of 150 fresh pangasius (patin) were specifically prepared for people living around the location," said Martiah represented Head of DKP Rusdi Hartono.
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She said the fish were distributed through a coupon system. The coupons were previously distributed by the committee to the local residents.
This activity is part of the DKP's efforts to increase fish consumption rate (AKI) and to promote the Community Fish-Eating Movement (Gemarikan). The aim is to accustom people, especialy children as the next generation, to consuming healthy protein from fish.
Martiah said that at each low-cost market, DKP involves fish processing MSMEs from Banjarmasin and Banjarbaru and provides a selection of seafood, such as mackerel.
"However, for this event, DKP is focusing on fish consumption education by distributing free fresh patin," she said.
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The South Kalimantan DKP's efforts to promote fish consumption had so far shown encouraging results. Fish consumption increased significantly in 2024 reaching 65.75 kg per capita per year, exceeding the national average of 58.9 kg.
She hopes similar activities continue to be held to further increase people interest in fish consumtion as a readily available source of nutrition and health benefits.
