Malang (malangkota.go.id) – The Fish Consumption Rate (AKI) in 2021 can be said to be still not ideal. At the national level it is at 55,37 kg/capita, while in East Java it is at 42,45 kg/capita, and in Malang City it is still 36,14 kg/capita.
Malang Mayor Drs. H. Sutiaji revealed that the key to strengthening fish consumption must be driven massively and attractively. This must start from daily role models at home, school, and activity environments, so that children like to eat fish. In addition, Sutiaji said that fish production in Malang City increased by 7,7 percent
"This is the result of collaboration for innovation in developing urban fisheries cultivation methods and knowledge, such as the use of tarpaulin pools, fish cultivation in buckets, and biofloc," he said in his speech at Gebyar Gemarikan 2022, Tuesday (14/6/2022).
Sutiaji appreciates the various efforts and breakthroughs made by Forikan Malang City and Dispangtan Malang City to campaign for fish as a source of nutrition. "Comics, fairy tales, and creative culinary can be developed and become a strength. It is also interesting to collaborate with creative economy actors in Malang City and early childhood education to spur Gemarikan," said Sutiaji.
Mayor Sutiaji emphasized that if fish consumption increases, nutritional fulfillment can be achieved. Where one of the indicators is the decline in stunting rates. The bespectacled man invited all parties, especially mothers, to socialize the importance of eating fish, especially to form a healthy and intelligent generation.
"The goal is that the AKI of Malang City, which is still 36,14 kg/capita, can increase further, equaling or even exceeding the provincial and national achievement figures. If nutrition is fulfilled, then a golden generation and a healthy nation will be achieved. Starting in 2019, the stunting rate has continued to decline and this is partly due to the increase in fish consumption. The hope is that in 2050 it will become a giant country in the world," he hoped.
Meanwhile, Acting Head of Malang City Dispangtan Sri Winarni, SH., MM revealed that Dispangtan will continue to innovate to increase fish production and consumption in Malang City.
“Fish production in Malang City is increasing from year to year. Because of the coaching activities carried out for fish farmers. We provide assistance for freshwater fish farming infrastructure for fish farmers. Well, we are also responsible for continuing to increase fish consumption in Malang City. Because this fish has high nutritional content and value and is very good for children's brain growth. So that in the coming years we will get superior human resources," he said.
Sri Winarni mentioned several assistance facilities for fish farming infrastructure provided by Dispangtan, including 90 biofloc/tarpaulin ponds in 2020. A total of 100 biofloc ponds and 75 fish farming packages in buckets (budikdamber), as well as 40 family catfish ponds were distributed in 2021. For 2022, Dispangtan distributed 180 biofloc ponds and cultivation facilities for six groups of millennial fish farmers.
Through the Gebyar Gemarikan 2022 event, Dispangtan together with the Fish Consumption Improvement Forum (Forikan) held a Storytelling Competition for PAUD Teachers in Malang City with the theme 'Eating Fish, Healthy, Strong and Smart Body.' Participants not only prepared story scripts, but also interesting story props. Out of 20 participants, six of the best participants were selected and received appreciation in the form of a total prize of IDR 6 million.
After the storytelling competition, the event continued with Gemarikan socialization targeting mothers with babies and toddlers. In addition, the Gemarikan comic book was also launched in this activity.
"We plan to hold a cooking class also to improve the knowledge, insight, and skills of fishery product processing business actors. Diversification or diversification of fish processing as a fulfillment of nutrition so that the nutrients received by the body are varied and balanced," concluded Winarni. (ari/ram)
