Animal-based protein, as reported in the SehatNegeriku page from Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia, is considered have a more complete nutritional content. Complete essential amino acids in animal-based protein are important for children to consume as it plays a major role in helping children’s intelligence growth. According to the Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia, low animal-based protein intake can cause stunting that align with other researches in 49 countries.
The Women’s Business Group (KUMP) “Sukses Bersama” in Sekongkang Village, West Sumbawa Regency (KSB), is working to fulfil the need for animal-based protein for children. Utilizing a fish-in-a-bucket cultivation method (budikdamber). They do catfish farming alongside vegetables crops. This initiative aims to enhance children’s nutritional intake in KSB and part of the accelerate stunting reduction program, a collaboration of PT Amman Mineral, the KSB Government, and Yayasan CARE Peduli (YCP).
Hadiah, Chair of the Sukses Bersama Women’s Business Group (KUMP), shared that the group members have been raising catfish since July 2024 with support and guidance from CARE. This collaboration and hands-on mentoring from YCP have been instrumental in helping the group establish sustainable catfish cultivation. Through their combined efforts, they now consistently produce between 5 and 10 kilograms of catfish per month. “Our primary motivation for raising catfish is to provide a reliable source of animal protein for our children and families,” she said.
Hadiah further shared that the eight KUMP members participating in the budikdamber initiative each maintain two buckets in their yards. “Currently, there are a total of 16 buckets of catfish,” she noted.
The successful catfish cultivation has allowed Hadiah and her group members to earn additional income for their families. “We usually sell the catfish at Rp35,000 per kilogram, and customers can choose between live fish or prepared dishes,” Hadiah added.
Hadiah optimizes the catfish sales from budikdamber initiative by selling online on social media accounts. “Each time we harvest the catfish, after setting aside what’s needed for family meals, the other members and I immediately promote it on Facebook. It helps reduce operational costs since we only need a mobile phone. The local community also uses Facebook, so it’s easier to inform them when the catfish are ready for sale,” she explained.
In addition to catfish, Hadiah and her fellow members also use the budikdamber system to meet their families’ daily vegetable needs. Each member can harvest three bundles of water spinach and mustard greens planted on top of the buckets once a week. “These vegetables from the budikdamber system provide us with a convenient source of greens, reducing the need to buy vegetables frequently,” Hadiah added.
Muhammad Ikraman, Project Manager at YCP in KSB, explained that this bucket-based cultivation model supports family economic strengthening in the village, particularly for households with children in stunting condtion. “This method is very accessible, as it requires minimal space and can be set up right in the backyard. KUMP members receive training on budikdamber, which we’ve organized in collaboration with the West Sumbawa District Fisheries and Marine Department and experienced trainers,” Ikraman shared.
Ikraman explained, moving forward, the budikdamber cultivation method will continue to be developed to enhance its efficiency in producing nutritional sources to help address stuntinga
Writer: Muhammad Ikaraman
Editor: Kukuh A. Tohari and Swiny Adestika