January 14, 2011

 

Indonesia increases targets for shrimp, fish cultivation

 

 

A target of 460,000 tonnes of shrimp has been set by the Indonesian government for 2011's total shrimp production, which is higher than the target that fell short in 2010.

 

The total shrimp production was at 352,000 tonnes in 2010, which was much lower than the government's target of 410,000 tonnes.

 

In terms of aquaculture production more generally, the government has set a target of 6.85 million tonnes - an increase of 27% on the 2010 target.

 

According to Acting Director-General for Aquaculture at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), Ketut Sugama, the overall increase will be bolstered by increases in seaweed and shrimp production, which are primarily export commodities.

 

Sugama said that emphasis would be put on requiring farmers to cultivate higher quality shrimp varieties in certified areas and reducing population numbers per square metre - from 300 shrimp per square metre to 120 shrimp per square metre.

 

Shrimp Club Indonesia (SCI) Chair Iwan Sutanto said that the target could only be achieved if the government carried out serious stimulus programmes for shrimp aquaculture businesses.

 

The stimulus would need to be in the form of capital, infrastructure and fuel.

 

Sutanto said that the price of shrimp had reached a record high for the last 10 years at IDR52,000 (US$5.75) per kilogram - far higher than the mid-2010 price of IDR40,000 (US$4.42).

 

According to Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad, the aquaculture programme will be focused on keeping breeding and food costs to reasonable levels, and revitalising neglected fish production businesses with banking assistance, including foreign and domestic investment.