Gov’t Runs Fishing Village Program to Empower Two Million Fishers

President Prabowo Subianto attends Forbes Global CEO Conference 2025 at the St. Regis Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday (10/15). (Photo: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) inn

The Government has continued to strengthen the marine and fisheries sector through Fishing Village program, a major initiative aimed at enhancing the welfare of coastal communities and sustainably maximizing the nation’s sea potential.

Through this program, the Government presents a concrete solution to empowering fishing communities across the country.

“In 80 years of Indonesia’s history, we have never yet implemented any program which is truly effective in empowering our fishing communities. This is what we are trying to achieve,” President Prabowo said at the Forbes Global CEO Conference 2025 at The St. Regis Hotel Jakarta, Wednesday (10/15).

According to the Head of State, the Fishing Village program was kicked off with a pilot project initiated by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. One of the models under development is the Fishing Village Project, a village inhabited by approximately 2,000 fishers that is being reorganized and equipped with adequate infrastructure.

President Prabowo pointed out that the Government has built simple ports, provided ice production and cold storage facilities, installed solar panels to meet energy demand, and established sanitary clinics and decent schools for fishers’ families.

“They gave us testimonies that after one and a half to two years, their income surged by 100 percent. That is amazing. I myself was taken aback. I thought it would grow by 40 or 50 percent, but apparently it doubled, and it was all because of basic facilities, such as ice supply facilities and facilities for fish auctions,” he said.

The President noted that the fish auction facilities enabled fishers to sell fresh fish directly at better prices, thereby enhancing the welfare of coastal communities.

President Prabowo further stated that the Government has planned to replicate the Fishing Village model on a national scale, adding that 65 villages have been built throughout the year under the program.

“The target is that by the end of 2026, we will have built at least 1,000 villages like this across Indonesia. Building 1,000 villages means empowering two million fishers. Two million fishers together with their wives and perhaps two children in each family mean eight million Indonesians,” he said.

Moreover, the President pointed out that the program will strengthen the supply chains of fresh protein to the people and village cooperative networks, underscoring that the Government has established more than 81,000 village cooperatives, each of which has a warehouse, a cold storage, a minimarket, a pharmacy, and a clinic and is set to obtain financing for two production transport trucks to ensure smooth distribution to markets.

“I believe it will be an interesting time for Indonesia. I am excited to see this dream and concept coming to life as we sit here today,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (DH/TM)