Metro Times (Malang) – Batu City seems to have new potential to be developed. Recently, the Research and Community Service Directorate (DRPM) of Sepuluh November Institute of Technology (ITS) was attracted by the potential of Kajar Hamlet, Pandanrejo Village, Bumiaji District.
The potential seen on that hamlet is the cultivation of freshwater fish. The cooperation with DRPM ITS is in the form of funding and development concepts. The handover of working capital assistance and the concept of developing the Kajar Hamlet was carried out symbolically directly by head of DRPM Agus Muhammad Hatta PhD, last Saturday (23rd October 2021).
Kajar Hamlet was chosen as location for freshwater fish cultivation because it has a strategic geographical location. This hamlet is known to have abundant water sources. This potential will be utilized for the cultivation of freshwater fish specifically for consumption that utilizes waterways. The length of the waterways is about 500 meters with a width of about 70 to 100 centimetres and an average depth of about adult knee heights.
Another reason for choosing Kajar Hamlet as a location for freshwater fish farming is because the water conditions there are relatively good. In addition, this hamlet has the potential to be used as thematic tourism. “Surely this can help the local’s economy,” said the initiator of freshwater fish farming at Kajar Hamlet, Agus Budiyanto.
In addition to funding, ITS will also assist the local residents in making a master plan and timeline for the development of Kajar Hamlet. So that the community can be involved in cultivating freshwater fish, even in the marketing process.
“In addition to cooperating with ITS, this program will also be cooperating with Village Owned Enterprises (BUMDes). We will involve the hamlet from the neighbourhood association level to village level,” he said.
At the event held on Saturday afternoon in the Kajar Hamlet, business capital assistance was also handed over to 2 BUMDes and some SMEs by the Head of ITS policy research center, Dr.Ir.Arman Hakim Nasution, M.Eng.
The aid package with a total value of 125 million is broken down into 25 million per unit each, which must be returned within 2 years with a monthly interest of around 300 thousand.
This aid package is an endowment fund from AITAA (Asian Institute of Technology-Bangkok Associate Alumni) chapter Indonesia. AITAA is an association of master/doctorate graduate alumni who care about the development of SMEs/BUMDes in Indonesia.
In his speech, Dr. Arman hopes that financing models like this can be developed with other alumni communities, including ITS alumni. (nald)
