Jokowi to Ask Prabowo to Develop 78,000 hectares of Idle Ponds

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi planned to ask President-elect Prabowo Subianto to rehabilitate the abandoned ponds in West Java’s north coastal area or Pantura. These ponds, which cover approximately 78,000 hectares, require a budget of at least Rp13 trillion to be processed.

He conveyed the plan during the inauguration of the 80-hectare saline tilapia farming model pond in Karawang, West Java, on Wednesday, May 8. The pond was originally built as a shrimp pond by President Soeharto in 1984 under the name Pandu Tambak Inti Rakyat Project but was halted in 1998.

In his speech, the state head highlighted the existence of 78,000 hectares of idle land from Serang to Banyuwangi, or from Banten in Central Java to East Java. The former governor of Jakarta has requested Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahy Trenggono to review the land activation project, which is estimated to cost Rp13 trillion.

“If it is very feasible, I will prepare it in the 2025 or 2026 State Budget (APBN), and I will propose it to the new government, to the elected president, so that this big dream can finally be realized,” said Jokowi.

The farm pond, owned by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), will be managed by the Aquaculture Production Business Service Center (BLUPPB). The construction of road infrastructure, offices, lighting, and production ponds cost Rp76 billion.

Jokowi remarked that the opening of the model pond was in response to the significant market demand. He noted that the potential profit from fishery products is expected to reach around Rp230 trillion in 2024, hoping that it would create more job opportunities.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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