Govt links village co-op, fishing village to boost fishers' welfare

Sinjai, S Sulawesi (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Cooperatives and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries are working to improve fishermen’s welfare in Tongke-Tongke, Sinjai District, South Sulawesi, by integrating the Red and White Village Cooperative with the Red and White Fishing Village program.

During a visit to Sinjai on Friday, Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono said integrating the two programs was essential to strengthen management and operations at the fishing village while preventing duplication in the construction of facilities.

According to Ferry, existing infrastructure in the fishing village can be optimized for cooperative activities and supplemented with any additional facilities needed.

He said fishermen who join the cooperative would have easier access to financing and working capital to expand their businesses. Therefore, the ministry is encouraging all fishermen in Tongke-Tongke to join the village cooperative, either as members or managers.

Ferry added that the synergy between the Red and White Village Cooperative and the Red and White Fishing Village would also strengthen the fisheries business chain, from absorbing catches to marketing and processing seafood products.

Under the scheme, fishermen’s catches can be purchased by the village cooperative and marketed through its network or processed into derivative products to create added value and potentially increase fishermen’s incomes.

“We will improve the quality of the fishermen’s catch here, and we can even expand access to the capital they need,” the minister said.

Ferry expressed hope that strengthening the business ecosystem and infrastructure under the fishing village program would also increase the fisheries sector’s contribution to the regional economy.

He also hoped that the Tongke-Tongke fishing village could serve as a model for implementing the synergy between village cooperatives and fishing villages to improve infrastructure and expand fishing businesses.

Meanwhile, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said the Tongke-Tongke Red and White Fishing Village would become one of the business units managed by the Red and White Village Cooperative.

He expressed confidence that professional cooperative management and sound administration could help address various challenges faced by fishermen, including the operational needs of running fisheries businesses.

The Indonesian government established Red and White Village Cooperatives as centers for economic and social services in village communities, including as distribution hubs for logistics and subsidized goods.

Meanwhile, Red and White Fishing Villages are being developed with key infrastructure to support fishermen’s daily activities, including docks and roads.

In addition, the upgraded fishing villages will be equipped with cold storage facilities, ice-making plants, repair workshops, logistics stores, and fueling stations.

Related news: Village cooperatives to soft launch operations in October: Minister

Related news: Prabowo expects village cooperatives to boost economy by 2027

Translator: Suriani Mappong, Raka Adji
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2026