Member of the People's Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) from the electoral district of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB)-2/Lombok Island, H. Bambang Kristiono, SE (HBK) reminded that it is time for NTB Province to have a large-scale Food Estate program in the marine and marine sector. fishery. Having a sea area of up to 29,159 square kilometers with a coastline length of 2,333 kilometers, this is more than enough to become NTB's basic capital to realize the Maritime Food Estate. "NTB has abundant marine resources. The potential is trillions of rupiah per year. Realizing a Food Estate in the marine and fisheries sector is the best way to protect waters and be grateful for the blessings of Allah SWT that has been bestowed on NTB," said HBK, Monday, January 23, 2023.

This Gerindra Party politician is known as a NTB figure who is very concerned about the development of the agricultural sector and the marine and fisheries sector in Bumi Gora. HBK emphasized that the water area of NTB covers 59 percent of the total area. Because of this, the development of the fisheries and marine sector should no longer be left second. "The existence of the marine and fisheries sector has great potential as a source of food and a support for food self-sufficiency," said Deputy Chairperson of Commission I of the DPR RI.
Data from the NTB Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Service stated that the potential for capture fisheries production in NTB could reach 185,518 tonnes per year. This potential, among others, comes from coastal waters which can reach 67,906 tons per year and from offshore waters of 61,957 tons per year. Meanwhile, specifically from the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the fishery potential of NTB can reach 298,576 tons per year. This has made NTB so far known to be very rich in various types of caught fish such as skipjack, tuna, tuna, squid, tail fish. yellow, bottle shark, shrimp, and ornamental fish.
Meanwhile, from the cultivation sector, the potential is no less great. The marine cultivation sector has a potential area of 72,862 hectares, brackish water cultivation with a potential area of 27,927 hectares, and fresh water cultivation with a potential area of 31,758 hectares. As a province that has a complete aquatic ecosystem, ranging from pelagic marine ecosystems, demersal sea, coastal ecosystems and small islands rich in coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves, to public waters such as reservoirs, lakes, rivers and ponds, making the entire potential for aquaculture is very feasible to be developed in NTB. HBK emphasized, with such a large potential for capture fisheries and aquaculture, it is very possible for NTB to realize the existence of a Food Estate in the large-scale marine and fisheries sector. With the support of industrialization, this large-scale Food Estate will make the management of marine and fisheries potential more integrated.

The charismatic figure of Bumi Gora who is also a successful entrepreneur also revealed that, so far, the development of the main economic activities in fisheries and marine affairs in Indonesia, including in NTB, has faced several challenges in terms of global competition. HBK gave an example, several fishery products from other countries such as Thailand and Vietnam, have very high competitiveness due to a more efficient production process compared to Indonesia. "The existence of a large-scale Food Estate in the marine and fisheries sector will produce a more efficient fishing industry to face this competition. The marine and fisheries food estate will present an integrated industry between the capture fisheries industry, the processing industry, trade and fisheries-based services," said HBK.
In terms of realizing this marine and fisheries Food Estate, NTB said HBK, actually had a fairly strong initial capital. The foundation and fundamental infrastructure for realizing the Food Estate actually already exists or is available. On the island of Lombok, for example, there are already several Minapolitan areas, an integrated area-based marine and fisheries economic development area. The Minapolitan area includes Teluk Awang, Mertak Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok Regency and also in the Sekotong area, West Lombok Regency.

Source: HBK Dorong Food Estate Sektor Kelautan dan Perikanan Berskala Besar di NTB - www.suaralomboknews.com