Red-White Fishermen's Villages to drive coastal economy: Minister

... is one of the strategic actions to transform fishermen villages into productive and modern communities

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono has expressed confidence that the Red and White Fishermen Village (KNMP) programme will become a new engine of the national economic growth, especially in coastal areas.

According to Trenggono, the programme is designed to transform fishermen villages into productive, modern, and competitive communities while promoting equitable economic development and poverty alleviation.

Speaking at the 2026 National Coordination Meeting on the National Priority Work Programme for the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sector here on Thursday, Trenggono said the sector's development must begin in coastal areas, which can serve as new economic hubs while strengthening food security.

"The Red and White Fishermen Village is one of the strategic actions to transform fishermen villages into productive and modern communities, as well as becoming a new engine of economic growth in coastal areas with a projected contribution to economic growth of 5.4 to 16.2 percent," he explained.

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Trenggono added the KNMP programme was launched in 2023 through a pilot project in Samber-Binyeri Village, which has delivered significant results.

According to him, the initiative has significantly improved the fishermen's welfare, leading to a 78 percent increase in incomes driven by a 103 percent growth in fish catches, a 47 percent rise in fish sales, and a 113.2 percent increase in the fishermen's terms of trade.

Market access for fishery products has also expanded to Bitung, Jakarta, Semarang, and Surabaya, with total distribution reaching 295 tons.

"Previously, the products were sold only in local markets. Now, nearly 90 percent are exported," he said.

Trenggono added the KNMP programme is being implemented in three stages, which is increasing productivity, improving quality, and ensuring sustainability.

Currently, as many as 65 KNMPs are undergoing its operational transformation, while the ministry has planned to develop 1,269 fishermen villages across the nation this year.

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Translator: Ahmad, Kenzu

Editor: Fransiska Ninditya

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