Fish ponds stretch beside a house in Sukamoro Village, Talang Kelapa District, Banyuasin Regency. The occasional sound of splashing water fills the air as fish swim actively in the rippling water.Syarif, the owner of the fish pond, is feeding the fish on a sunny Friday morning, January 31, 2025.
Just a few days ago, two tons of patin catfish were harvested. Due to the large quantity, Syarif even hired his neighbors to help with the harvest, which took a whole week to complete.
"When harvesting the patin catfish, we bring in extra help from local residents, especially neighbors. Since the fish are big, we need the additional hands and a week to complete the harvest," said Syarif.
Not only patin catfish, but Syarif, with the help of Karang Taruna Sukamoro, also cultivates lele catfish. Last January, he successfully harvested 400 kilograms of lele catfish.
Thankfully, the prices of patin and lele catfish are currently high, allowing Syarif and his partners to earn a substantial profit. “From January to April, the rough sea waves make it difficult for fishermen to go out, which benefits us fish farmers. With high demand from buyers, prices have soared. Sometimes, buyers even visit the pond directly, even when the fish aren’t ready for harvest yet," said Syarif.
Fish farming is actually a new venture for Syarif. He initially started a brick-making business, using clay from the land around his house as the raw material.
However, the brick-making business was unsustainable, leaving holes around his house. Syarif then brainstormed for a new venture and chose to cultivate patin and lele catfish. He repurposed the excavation holes into fish farming ponds. “There’s always demand for fish, it never stops. The results are also sustainable," he said.
Syarif admitted that he faced several failed harvests early on because he didn’t fully understand how to properly cultivate fish. His marketing network was also not yet established, so at times, he was forced to sell fish below market prices.
However, Syarif didn’t give up. He kept learning and stayed enthusiastic about growing his business. In 2024, he received an invitation from PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) Kertapati Pier Unit to become a fostered partner. Since then, Syarif's fish farming business has continued to thrive.
Through the LENTERA SUKAMORO program (Processed Catfish Brings Prosperity to Sukamoro), with the theme BANGGA BERSERI (Empowered, Healthy, and Sustainable Excavation Holes), PTBA not only provides assistance but also offers mentorship to its fostered partners. The support includes providing fish seeds, feed, constructing fish ponds using rubber waste from belt conveyors for the pond's bottom and walls, and using bottom ash to pave the pond floor.
This entire process is guided by a team from PTBA to ensure that fostered partners fully understand and are able to manage their businesses more effectively and sustainably. This aligns with the government’s Asta Cita, particularly point 3, which focuses on enhancing the quality of employment and entrepreneurship.
"Alhamdulillah, all praise be to God, we are grateful to have connected with Bukit Asam. Our business has grown significantly, and our turnover has increased. What started as one pond has now expanded to several. Since becoming a partner of Bukit Asam, many have followed in our footsteps. We are truly thankful to Bukit Asam,” said Syarif.
Alongside fish farming, the land is now also used for vegetable cultivation through an aquaponic system, where fish waste serves as natural fertilizer. PTBA also assisted in installing a Solar Power Plant on the roof of Syarif's house to power a water pump that automatically irrigates the plants.
"Previously, we grew kale using the aquaponic system. Now, we’re preparing to plant chilies and have already gathered the seeds," said Syarif.
Initially, Syarif managed the fish farming business with just his wife. Now, he provides jobs and boosts the income of the local community. For example, during harvest time, Syarif hires local residents. “The income they earn from helping harvest fish for 1-2 hours is equivalent to a full day’s wage for manual labor outside the village,” he said.
Syarif dreams of expanding his fish farming business while continuing to benefit the surrounding community. “In the future, I want to establish a fish center using floating cages,” he concluded.
