REVENUES FROM CATFISH BUSINESS IN THIS REGION REACH RP200 BILLION

Banjarmasin, 19 Ramadan 1435/17 July 2014 (MINA) – Production of catfish cultivation in Hulu Sungai Utara, South Kalimantan until 2014 has reached 70,000 tons per year. The catfish business is estimated to contribute to people’s income around Rp200 billion per year, assuming average price per kilogram Rp 18 thousand.

Head of The Office of Fisheries and Livestock Hulu Sungai Utara, HM Suriani, in Amuntai, says, seeing the potential of  fisheries and livestock have given various programs for Minopolitan area to reach Rp 3.3 billion.

According Suriani, It is reasonable if central government giving billions dollars to develop catfish cultivation because its contribution of revenue is very large, Antaranews quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“Government gives Rp 3.37 billion because the contribution of catfish cultivation reachs Rp 200 billion,” he said on Tuesday (15/7).

Suriani said that financial assistance from government has been used for manufacturing of floating cages, fish cages, fish nets (net), marsh pond, mud vacuum cleaner, machines for processing fish and fish seed.

In addition, the financial aid is also used for manufacturing cages of net floating, fish seed, feed and cost of group meetings.

Beside government financial assistance, catfish farmers in Minopolitan area such as district of Haur Gading and support area (hinterland) in two districts, namely District of Central Amuntai and Banjang also got credit from Bank Rakyat Indonesia, whose value had reached Rp 7.8 billion, he added.

Fields for the fish pond cultivation in district of Haur Gading has reached 143 hectares, with 29 groups of farmers . (T/Syt/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).