Indonesia to launch aquaculture programme across 40,000 villages to boost seafood production and exports

Indonesia is preparing to launch a nationwide aquaculture development programme covering 40,000 villages from 2026 as part of a major strategy to increase domestic production of protein-rich food, improve rural livelihoods and strengthen the country's position in global seafood markets, as reported by ANTARA.

The initiative will focus on expanding fish and shrimp farming across rural communities, supporting food security while creating new economic opportunities through higher-value aquaculture production.

According to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the programme is being coordinated with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Villages and regional administrations to ensure nationwide implementation.

Officials emphasised that the aquaculture initiative is separate from the government's Red and White Fishing Villages programme, which is dedicated to developing the capture fisheries sector. Instead, the new project is designed specifically to accelerate aquaculture production and modernise inland and coastal fish farming.

The government considers aquaculture a strategic sector for increasing the availability of animal protein, reducing dependence on imported food products and supporting sustainable economic growth in rural areas.

The programme was highlighted during a coordination meeting between the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, where officials outlined plans to expand Indonesia's food self-sufficiency beyond staple carbohydrate crops.

Authorities said the initiative is intended not only to satisfy growing domestic demand but also to increase seafood exports, reinforcing Indonesia's ambition to become one of the world's leading producers of fish and shrimp.

The programme will cover the cultivation of multiple fish species, with the government providing fingerlings to participating communities to accelerate production and improve farm productivity.

By combining food security objectives with export-orientated aquaculture, Indonesia aims to strengthen rural economies, increase household incomes and enhance the long-term competitiveness of its fisheries sector in international markets.