Mataram, 12 May 2022- Vannamei shrimp cultivation practices have gained significant ground in Asia due to their high economic and export value. Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, boasts vast potential for shrimp production. Since 2014, West Nusa Tenggara Province has emerged as one of the biggest shrimp producers in the country with 150,000 tons harvested in 2020. Currently, around 5,000 hectares of land are used for shrimp farming in the province, while more than 20,000 hectares could also accommodate these practices.

Seeking to support the local government in strengthening the productivity by adopting more sustainable shrimp farming practices, UNIDO and UNEP in “Accelerating SDGs Investment in Indonesia” (ASSIST) UN Joint programme collaborated and benefited from the technical expertise of the UNIDO’s “Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) Indonesia SMART Fish-2”. As part of this effort, a hybrid awareness raising event focusing on the Aquaculture Standard Operational Procedure (SOPs), IndoGAP (Good Aquaculture Practice) certification and Organic Shrimp Farming in Kidang Village, Central Lombok, was held involving UNIDO’s aquaculture specialists and an international expert from the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (Switzerland). The awareness raising was attended by over 50 participants and saw large engagement of shrimp farmers community based on Lombok Island. Due to a limited impact of traditional farming practices commonly used by Lombok farmers on improving productivity outcomes, this event brought into focus innovative and environmentally sound Vannamei shrimp cultivation approach that has a proven track record of helping to increase productivity and upgrade business performance.

Additionally, the event participants were introduced to the benefits of the transition towards organic aquaculture, which enables producers to improve their sales performance while reducing environmental impact through preserving biodiversity, avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals, increased nutrient efficiency. Organic standards also pave the way to inclusivity and job creation leading to social sustainability. The know-how associated with sustainable cultivation practices is also projected to unlock the access to SDGs-linked loans as an innovative financing scheme, enabling local farmers to expand their businesses, investment, and cooperation opportunities through global market networks, while also supporting green economy initiatives at large.  

More about the UNIDO ASSIST UN Joint Programme:

https://www.facebook.com/UNIDO-Assist-SMEs 2000097113617643/  

More about GQSP Indonesia Programme:

https://gqspindonesia.org