South Kalimantan Pushes Snakehead Fish Farming for Industry Growth
- 31 Jul 2026 22:55 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- South Kalimantan legislative council backs snakehead fish farming to boost aquaculture and local industry.
- Farmers face challenges from water shortages, feed supply, and limited hatchery facilities.
- Snakehead fish offers strong investment prospects for food, health, and cosmetic industries.
RRI.CO.ID, Banjarmasin - South Kalimantan is positioning snakehead fish (ikan gabus, locally known as haruan) as a key driver of regional aquaculture and industry, with lawmakers urging stronger support for farmers to meet rising demand.
Deputy Chair of Commission II of the South Kalimantan Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD), Suripno Sumas, said his commission recently visited the Mufakat Fish Farmers Group in Mahang Baru Village, Hulu Sungai Tengah (HST), which cultivates snakehead fish.
He praised the farmers’ commitment and stressed the need for greater government backing to expand production. “Snakehead fish is one of our flagship commodities with high economic value," Suripno said, as quoted by Antara.
"We fully support its development as an icon of South Kalimantan’s fisheries,” he continued, adding that farmers are already using diverse methods, from specialized ponds to open land cultivation, aided by seed distribution from the provincial fisheries office.
However, challenges remain. Farmers reported difficulties during the dry season, particularly water shortages that threaten sustainability.
They also face limited feed supplies, inadequate pond systems, and a lack of hatchery facilities. Suripno pledged to advocate for solutions, including the provision of bore wells and expanded hatchery infrastructure through the provincial budget.
The provincial administration has also identified snakehead fish as a promising investment prospect. Plans to establish a national processing hub have been delayed due to insufficient raw supply, with industries requiring at least five tons per month to operate sustainably.
Despite these hurdles, officials believe snakehead fish offers significant opportunities beyond consumption, serving as raw material for processed foods, health products, and cosmetics.
Suripno emphasized that supporting farmers is not only an economic priority but also a moral responsibility of elected representatives.
“Our visit is more than observation. It is a commitment to fight for the aspirations of local communities. We will ensure these needs are addressed in Commission II and the DPRD budget discussions,” he said. ***
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