Fish Flour Fortification for Stunting Prevention in Kebakalan, Kebumen
A team of lecturers and students from IPB University introduced fish flour fortification as a solution for preventing stunting in children under five years of age.
As part of the Homecoming Lectures (Dospulkam) program, the activity was carried out in Kebakalan Village, Karanggayam District, Kebumen Regency, Central Java. The team consisted of Prof Tri Wiji Nurani; Dr Yopi Novita; Dr Retno Muninggar; P Ika Wahyuningrum, SPi, MSi; and Sari Rama Dianti, SPi.
The activity began with a socialization session on stunting prevention. The event was attended by Kebakalan Village officials, women from the Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK) group, members of Muslimat and Fatayat, and posyandu cadres, with a total of 35 participants.
Appreciation was expressed by the Chair of Kebakalan Village, R Wiwit Setiyawan Wijayanto, SSos. He welcomed this activity and assessed, “The addition of fish flour in processed foods is an interesting idea that can ensure the provision of fish nutrition at all times.”
The chair of the Dospulkam team, Prof Tri Wiji Nurani, explained that a fish meal is a smart way to meet the nutritional needs of toddlers on an ongoing basis. It can be added to various processed food products that are liked by children and other family members.
This activity, she said, is a continuation of the 2024 national research program. Previously, fish flour fortification was conducted for Kebumen’s traditional lanting product.
Also present at this event was Hantari Mahadewi, SP, a representative of the Regional Development Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency (Bapperida) of Kebumen Regency. She appreciated this Dospulkam activity as a promising first step.
“Kebumen has great potential in marine fisheries, but it also faces the highest poverty rate in Central Java. Hopefully, programs like this can continue,” she said.
Meanwhile, Iin Latifa, ST, another Bapperida staff member, added that stunting prevention should not only target toddlers, but also prospective brides and pregnant women.
The chair of the Kebakalan Village PKK, Indra Wahyuni, also said that fish flour has the potential to be developed into a village MSME product that can be a source of additional income and can be developed into a new business idea in Kebakalan Village.
The event concluded with a cooking session using fish flour, guided by the Dospulkam team. Participants showed high enthusiasm, with some mothers already beginning to brainstorm ideas for processed foods made from fish flour. (*/Rz) (IAAS/KQA)
