Synergy of IPB University, ITB and Kemendes PDT introduces portable FAD innovation to Tolitoli fishermen
IPB University together with the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and the Ministry of Rural and Disadvantaged Regions Development (Kemendes PDT) successfully held a community service in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas, namely on Kabetan Island, Tolitoli Regency, Central Sulawesi.
This activity was carried out by socializing the use of fishing aids, namely portable FADs, gill nets, and the use of solar panels. The team consisted of Dr Sri Raharno as team leader, and members Dr Indria Herman, collaborating with Dr Roza Yusfiandayani (lecturer at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science / FPIK IPB University).
“This activity is supported by the Ministry of PDT and is specifically for 3T areas, and was met by the Chair of Kabetan Village through the desanesha application,” said Dr Sri Raharno, a lecturer at the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FMAE) ITB.
Kabetan Village Chair M Ruslan said that Kabetan Village consists of three hamlets, namely Sope Hamlet, Butun Hamlet, and Bumbung Hamlet with a total of 415 households.
He explained that Sope Hamlet has 230 families, an early childhood and elementary school, and limited electricity and water. Meanwhile, the community’s livelihoods are 80 percent fishermen and 20 percent farmers (coconut, cocoa, and banana).
As for Butun Hamlet, he continued, there are 125 families, with abundant water resources, but limited electricity. As many as 50 percent of the residents work as fishermen, while the remaining 50 percent are farmers (shallots, chilies, and bananas).
“In Bumbung Hamlet, there is no water, no electricity, there are 60 families. The livelihoods of the residents are 50 percent fishermen and 50 percent laborers, as clove birds and work as builders in the city,” he said.
In this program, Kabetan Village received 45 units of gill nets, 6 units of portable FADs, and 8 units of solar panels to help with street lighting. “We provide this assistance so that fishermen on Kabetan Island can increase fishing productivity,” said Dr Sri Raharno.
The village head and fishermen who received the assistance were also very happy and felt the benefits. Ruslan said, “Hopefully this program will continue next year. Portable FADs can be implemented using gill nets in the waters of Kabetan Island, Tolitoli.”
Dr Roza Yusfiandayani, IPB University lecturer at the Department of Fisheries Resource Utilization (PSP) also hopes that the synergy of cooperation between academics and the ministry can provide benefits for fishermen and joint business groups (KUB). (*/Rz) (IAAS/Hap)
