Nestled deep within the lush, green highlands of Papua, where the morning mist hugs the hills and the sound of gurgling streams echoes through the trees, a quiet revolution is taking place.
In Kampung Nimbo, a small village in Nimboran District, Jayapura Regency, a group of determined freshwater fish farmers have embarked on a transformative journey. Their goal is simple but powerful: to break free from the economic chains of dependency on industrial fish feed by learning how to produce their own, locally sourced fish feed.
Behind this effort is the Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (DKP) of Papua Province, which, earlier this month, conducted a three-day intensive training that could change the future of small-scale aquaculture in the region. Over 26 participants, including fish farmers and students from a local vocational school, gathered to learn the art and science of making natural, fermented, cost-efficient fish feed—right from their backyards.
What happened over those three days in Nimbo wasn’t just a training. It was a story of empowerment, sustainability, and grassroots innovation.
A Quiet Crisis in Papua’s Aquaculture
For years, freshwater fish farming has been an essential livelihood for rural communities across Papua. The region’s rich natural resources—rivers, lakes, and wetlands—make it ideal for aquaculture, particularly for species like tilapia, catfish, and carp. But beneath the surface of this potential lies a growing problem.
Commercial fish feed is expensive. In remote areas like Nimboran, it often must be transported long distances, pushing prices even higher. For small-scale farmers, feed can account for up to 70% of production costs—a burden that squeezes profit margins and discourages expansion.
Without alternatives, farmers face a stark choice: scale back their operations or abandon them entirely.
Recognizing this challenge, DKP Papua decided to act. “We saw that the high cost of feed was the number one obstacle facing our freshwater fish farmers,” said Yan Weyeni, Head of Production at DKP Papua. “Our goal was to offer a solution that was not only affordable but also sustainable and replicable.”
From Theory to Practice: Three Days That Changed Everything
The training took place from September 3 to 5, 2025, in the heart of Kampung Nimbo. The venue—a modest village hall surrounded by gardens and ponds—became a classroom for a different kind of education.
On the first day, participants were introduced to the principles of fish nutrition, the role of protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins in fish growth, and the dangers of overfeeding and underfeeding. But the real magic began when theory gave way to practice.
Using locally available ingredients like cassava, banana stems, rice bran, and natural protein sources like snails or silkworm pupae, participants learned to mix, ferment, and form their own feed pellets. The fermentation process, a key component of the training, was particularly emphasized.
“Fermentation doesn’t just preserve the feed,” Weyeni explained. “It also increases its digestibility, enriches its nutrient content, and reduces pathogens—making it healthier for the fish and safer for the farmers.”
Step by step, the farmers mixed the ingredients, added natural microbial starters, let them sit in containers, and later shaped the feed into pellets using manual tools. The resulting product, according to Weyeni, could reduce production costs by 30–50%—a game changer in remote economies.
Involving the Youth: A Generational Investment
What made this training especially unique was the presence of students from SMK Negeri 2 Nimboran, a local vocational high school. Their inclusion wasn’t accidental. DKP Papua believes that the future of aquaculture doesn’t just lie in current farmers—it lies in young people who can bring fresh ideas, energy, and innovation.
“This is more than skills training,” said a DKP facilitator. “It’s about building a foundation for sustainable aquaculture in Papua for generations to come.”
The students, many of whom came from farming families, were visibly engaged. For them, the training offered not just hands-on learning but a sense of purpose: that they could become change agents in their communities.
A Community Transformed
For the farmers of Kampung Nimbo and neighboring Kampungs Nimbo 1, Nimbo 2, and Berap, the impact was immediate.
Some spoke of the relief in knowing they no longer had to spend hundreds of thousands of rupiah on imported feed every month. Others expressed joy at the simplicity of the process—how everyday materials could be transformed into something so vital.
“This training gave us hope,” said one participant. “We’ve always depended on external suppliers, and that made us vulnerable. Now, we can feed our fish and our families with what we already have.”
The DKP team, for their part, didn’t just conduct the training and leave. They offered follow-up support, encouraging participants to reach out with questions, send updates, and even innovate further.
The Bigger Picture: Sustainability and Sovereignty
Beyond the numbers and technicalities, what’s happening in Nimbo is part of a broader vision—a vision of food sovereignty, rural empowerment, and climate resilience.
By producing their own feed from local resources, farmers are reducing their carbon footprint, minimizing waste, and preserving the local ecosystem. No longer dependent on external supply chains, they are better equipped to withstand economic shocks, inflation, or global supply disruptions.
And by involving youth, the program is planting the seeds for a more resilient, community-led aquaculture sector—one that aligns with Indonesia’s broader goals of sustainable rural development and poverty reduction.
Looking Ahead: Scaling the Movement
DKP Papua isn’t stopping in Nimbo. Officials have announced plans to replicate this model across other districts in the province, targeting regions with high aquaculture potential but limited infrastructure.
“This is just the beginning,” said Weyeni. “We want to see fish farmers in every part of Papua empowered with this knowledge. The tools are simple. The impact is lasting.”
The department also plans to partner with universities, NGOs, and private sector players to refine the training materials, introduce new feed innovations, and ensure ongoing support.
The Human Story Behind the Numbers
What makes this story remarkable is not just its technical success but also its human heart. In a world where rural communities are often left behind in the march of progress, this initiative reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful innovations come not from factories or laboratories—but from villages, classrooms, and community halls.
In Nimbo, the simple act of mixing banana stems and cassava into a fish pellet has become a symbol of something far greater: independence, knowledge, and hope.
Conclusion
In the green hills of Nimboran, a group of farmers and students have discovered not just a new skill but a new story to tell. It is a story about using what you have, where you are, to create something better. It is about Papuan resilience, community knowledge, and sustainable innovation. And as this story spreads to other villages, rivers, and islands, it may well become one of the most important chapters in Indonesia’s effort to ensure that no community is left behind.
