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Boyolali has Potential to Export Catfish
Boyolali - The District Government of Boyolali is preparing a long term program to export catfish fillets to a number of Middle East and Southeast Asian countries. The program aims to encourage more hygienic production practices and increase production.
“We target to export catfish in 2014; it is still a long time because a lot needs to be improved. The most important is to improve the reputation of catfish as more hygienic,” said Head of the Livestock and Fishery Service Office of Boyolali District, Dwi Priyatmoko in Boyolali on Monday (28/6).
In Boyolali, catfish production is centered in Tegalrejo village in Sawit subdistrict. The village is known as “Catfish Kampong”. In an area of 20 hectares, a total of 105 people produce catfishes in around 1,600 ponds. Catfish production in this area reaches 10 tons per day, dominating the entire catfish production Boyolali, which is about 12 tons per day.
Dwi said that catfish production in this area uses stagnant water systems. This means that since young catfishes are introduced into ponds until adult fishes are harvested, the water is the same.
He hopes this system could change into using flowing water, making it seem more hygienic for customers. But, the challenge in the new system is water supply.
Exporting can provide an alternative market for catfish production in Boyolali because supply is far more than local demand, which is only 500 kilograms per day. Currently surplus production is sent to Yogyakarta, Solo, Salatiga, and surrounding regions.
“This year we received a grant of 1.5 billion rupiahs from the central government for the establishment of 500 new ponds. These new ponds will increase production by 25 percent. Release of the grant money is still waiting for the amendment of the National Budget,” said Dwi.
Fish Size
Gunadi, Vice Chairman of Karya Mina Utama, the catfish farmer group in “Catfish Kampong” said the price of catfish from farmers is stabile at Rp 9,000 to Rp 9,500 per kilogram. Currently the market could still accommodate all production, but they are still open for export.
"We have had offers for export, but the problem is the fish should at least be half a kilogram each. Currently ponds are harvested at 6 to 10 fishes per kilogram,” he said.
Gunadi admitted producing fish at least half a kilogram in weight needs a lot of investment because more feed is needed and mortality risks are higher. That is why most farmers prefer easier production with minimum risk by targeting local or regional markets. (GAL)
Source : Kompas