Empowering Rural Communities through Technology-Based Catfish Farming

Ketapang, West Kalimantan & Lahat, South Sumatra, 12 March 2026 - A community empowerment programme in Biku Sarana Village, Jelai Hulu Subdistrict, and Sengkuang Merabong Village, Manis Mata Subdistrict, Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, continues to be strengthened through the development of technology-based catfish farming and the strengthening of local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Now entering its third year of implementation, the programme focuses on improving the capacity of farming groups and developing catfish-based processed products to support the sustainable economic independence of rural communities.

The latest series of activities includes refresher training on the production of alternative feed for two catfish farming groups, with a total of 15 members. The training was facilitated by resource persons from Tanjungpura University (UNTAN) and aims to enhance the groups' ability to process locally sourced raw materials into more cost-effective catfish feed that meets the nutritional needs of the fish.

In addition to the training, the farming groups also received pellet-making machines to produce alternative feed using local raw materials. This technological support is expected to help reduce feed costs, which have long been one of the main challenges in aquaculture operations.

Currently, the catfish farming group in Biku Sarana Village manages six ponds with a production capacity of approximately 6,000 catfish fingerlings, with an average harvest of around 750 kg per cycle. Meanwhile, the group in Sengkuang Merabong Village records an average production of 212 kg per cycle from two ponds, each with a capacity of 1,000 fish. With improved capacity and technological support, both groups are expected to increase productivity while improving operational efficiency.

The Head of the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) Team in Biku Sarana Village, Mrs Lili Yen, expressed her appreciation for the capacity-building activities. "This training is very helpful for our community to become more self-reliant. The pellet machine and the new knowledge open opportunities for the group to reduce production costs while increasing farming output," she said.

In addition to strengthening aquaculture activities, the programme also supports MSME development through the PKK women's group in Biku Sarana Village, which manages the Si Lele MSME. Participants received training on processing catfish-based products, including a new recipe for Stick Si Lele, which is more cost-efficient to produce and results in a crispier texture that is more competitive in the market.

One of the MSME training participants, Risnawati, shared her experience. "We are very pleased to receive new recipes and more efficient processing methods. Our products taste better and have greater potential to reach a wider market," she explained.

The catfish farming and Si Lele MSME programme has been running since 2024 as part of efforts to strengthen the local rural economy. Initial support included the provision of pond units, catfish fingerlings, feed, technical assistance for aquaculture, training on processed fish products, and promotional support through MSME exhibitions. The programme operates with two production cycles per year, with a total annual output of approximately two tonnes.

Going forward, monitoring activities and marketing support will continue to ensure the sustainability of both the aquaculture businesses and the development of MSME products based on local potential.

Expanding the Empowerment Model to Other Regions

A similar empowerment model has also begun to be implemented in Lahat Regency, South Sumatra, through an initiative by PT Sawit Mas Sejahtera (SMS), a subsidiary of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food. The programme reaches three villages; Tanjung Baru, Beringin Jaya, and Jajaran Lama, where each village has formed one aquaculture group, with a total of 30 participants.

The programme in South Sumatra began with support in the form of 13,000 catfish fingerlings for each group, along with production facilities, training, and technical assistance for aquaculture. Participants also learned about the Green Water System (GWS), a pond water management system that helps maintain water quality stability while reducing the risk of disease, thereby improving operational efficiency.

Catfish farming facilitator in Lahat, Abdil Musaddad, explained that the programme aligns with the local government's efforts to promote self-sufficiency in fish consumption in the region. Currently, much of the fish consumed in the area is still supplied from outside the region. "The demand for fish in Lahat is still very high, so aquaculture like this offers strong market potential while also helping to increase community income," he said.

Abdil hopes that collaboration between the company, village governments, and farming groups will continue to strengthen the development of this business. Such support is important to help farming groups increase their production capacity. "Our target is that within around two years, these farming groups will be able to operate independently and continue running their aquaculture businesses sustainably," he added.

Community empowerment programmes in both regions are part of the Bright Future Initiative, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food's MSME acceleration network, which has supported 113 MSMEs in implementing and developing 189 projects across the company's operational areas in Indonesia. Through this initiative, the company aims to continue strengthening the economic resilience of beneficiary communities while promoting independent businesses based on local potential.