RRI.CO.ID, Kebumen - The government is strengthening the aquaculture sector as a driver of the national economy and job creation.

President Prabowo Subianto underscored this commitment while attending the vannamei shrimp harvest at the Area‑Based Shrimp Farming Center (BUBK) in Kebumen, Central Java, on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

During his visit, President Prabowo said modern shrimp farming in Kebumen has delivered highly promising results, achieving world‑class production standards in just three years. “I am here to witness the large shrimp harvest. It has only been three years, yet the results are already world‑class. Very promising,” he said while joining local workers at the pond site, as quoted by Infopublik.id.

He assured that the government will continue to boost national shrimp production through the development of modern ponds in various regions.

Projects under preparation include a 2,000‑hectare integrated shrimp farming area in Waingapu, East Nusa Tenggara, and a 200‑hectare shrimp pond in North Sulawesi. “We must support productive projects that create jobs, generate added value, and increase the wealth and income of the Indonesian people,” he emphasized.

Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono explained that this bumper harvest marked the eighth cycle since the Kebumen BUBK was inaugurated in 2023. The total harvest is estimated at around 80 tons, all of which are purchased by local businesses at an average price of IDR 70,000 per kilogram.

He said the 100‑hectare modern shrimp pond continues to be optimized to strengthen Indonesian shrimp’s competitiveness in the global market.

The cultivation system follows best practices and is supported by modern, environmentally friendly facilities, including intake, reservoirs, separate inlet and outlet channels, production ponds, and wastewater treatment facilities. Production takes place in 139 ponds to maintain quality and productivity.

“This entire harvest, around 80 tons, is for export. Our largest shrimp exports go to the United States, followed by China and Japan,” Minister Trenggono said.

According to ministry data, the value of national shrimp exports is projected to reach USD 1.87 billion in 2025, up from USD 1.68 billion in 2024 and USD 1.73 billion in 2023.

The BUBK Kebumen area spans 100 hectares, with about 65 hectares of built‑up facilities, including operational buildings, cultivation support infrastructure, and 139 production ponds. The modern shrimp farming center has absorbed approximately 645 local workers. ***