Bountiful Harvest of Biofloc Catfish: Manifestation of Gratitude for Village Self-Sufficiency in Hagu Teungoh

Lhokseumawe, Aceh – The residents of Hagu Teungoh Village, affiliated with Pertamina IT Lhokseumawe and Human Initiative, celebrated a bountiful harvest of biofloc catfish (July 14). This celebration serves as an expression of gratitude for the success of the developmental program, aimed at increasing the community’s income while achieving food security.

Pertamina IT Lhokseumawe collaborates with Human Initiative to promote self-sufficiency and food security in Hagu Teungoh Village, Banda Sakti Subdistrict, Lhokseumawe City, Aceh. Despite the existing potential of human resources (HR) in this area, Pertamina IT Lhokseumawe, as a collaborative partner for goodness, continues to work towards enhancing the local residents’ income and realizing food security.

Revi M. Arisandra, Manager of Pertamina IT Lhokseumawe, expressed gratitude to the group members for successfully implementing the program leading up to the grand harvest. Furthermore, on behalf of Pertamina IT Lhokseumawe, he hopes for the continuity of this program in Hagu Teungoh Village.

“We hope that this Biofloc Catfish Cultivation program can be sustained and provide additional income for the group members,” he stated.

Empowering through Land Utilization

The Biofloc Catfish Cultivation program in Hagu Teungoh Village is a multi-benefit initiative that combines natural resources and human resources. Empty and unused lands have been transformed into catfish ponds, contributing to the village’s self-sufficiency.

In response to this multi-benefit program, Cut Elya Safitri, Secretary of the Department of Maritime, Fisheries, Agriculture, and Food, highly appreciates the utilization of vacant lands for food security efforts. Witnessing this success, she hopes that more biofloc catfish cultivation groups will emerge and flourish in her region.

“We hope that in the future, there will be even more biofloc catfish cultivation groups. This technique is currently gaining popularity. It has also proven to be more effective compared to traditional cultivation methods,” Cut Elya Safitri explained during the Biofloc Catfish Harvest event.

Results in the Hands of Mothers

During the biofloc catfish harvest season, the residents of Hagu Teungoh Village allocate the harvested catfish for two purposes. First, they are sold directly, and second, they are processed into other food products such as crackers or fish floss. This transformation of catfish into new food products naturally enhances the market value of catfish.

At the Harvest Festival, the Village Head of Hagu Teungoh, also known as Geuchik, expressed deep gratitude to Pertamina IT Lhokseumawe and Human Initiative for initiating the Biofloc Catfish Cultivation program in the village. In front of the community and invited guests, he expressed hope that the program would increase the villagers’ income and address unemployment issues in Hagu Teungoh Village.

“May Hagu Teungoh become a village supported by Pertamina Lhokseumawe in the future with different programs that can tackle unemployment in our village,” he added.

Apriadi, Branch Manager of Human Initiative Aceh, also expressed gratitude for the collaboration of all parties in ensuring the success of Pertamina IT Lhokseumawe’s CSR program. With representatives from the Banda Sakti Subdistrict also present at the event, Apriadi hoped that the program would continue and become more integrated to enhance the region’s potential.

“May the biofloc catfish cultivation groups, village officials, and government become more integrated in advancing the potential of the Lhokseumawe area. One way to achieve this is through the Biofloc Catfish Cultivation program,” he concluded.

Reporter: Human Initiative Aceh