MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, GUNUNGKIDUL – In an effort to empower coastal communities and enhance their livelihoods, the Muhammadiyah Council for Community Empowerment (MPM) organized a training program on fish processing for a fishing group in Nanas, Gunungkidul Regency, on Saturday, March 2. The program focused on improving the quality and marketability of processed fish products.
Heru, the Head of Nanas, highlighted a key challenge faced by the local fish processing group, namely limited access to capital. “Our production is restricted by funding availability. We often have to wait for sales revenue before restarting production,” Heru explained.
Addressing this challenge and the broader issue of fish quality in the context of potential contamination, Dr. Muhammad Prima Putra, a speaker from the Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Gadjah Mada and a member of MPM, presented valuable insights. He emphasized the immense potential of fish, both from a nutritional and economic standpoint, while acknowledging the threat posed by pollution.
“Fish are inherently susceptible to contamination within polluted waters, making them a perishable resource,” Dr. Putra explained. “Therefore, maintaining fish quality requires specific handling techniques.”
Dr. Putra delved into these techniques, outlining methods to minimize contamination risks. These included proper cleaning of the gills and intestines, thorough washing with clean water, and the crucial application of cold storage using ice.
Furthermore, Dr. Putra engaged the community in discussions and introduced various options for processing fish into products with high economic value. “Tuna, for example, can be transformed into diverse dishes like tongseng, satay, tom yam, or even canned and frozen food,” he explained.
He further emphasized the potential of utilizing other fish parts, such as the skin, eyes, intestines/gills, and bones, for creating valuable and marketable products.
This training program forms part of a collaborative initiative between MPM PT. Penjaminan Infrastruktur Indonesia. The broader program aims to improve the quality of life for communities residing in remote areas classified as “3T” areas (disadvantaged, frontier, and remote areas). By offering financial assistance, capacity building programs, and support in enhancing the quality of their economic production, the initiative empowers communities like a coastal fishing group in Gunungkidul to achieve greater self-sufficiency and contribute significantly to their local development.
Through this collaborative effort, Muhammadiyah is playing a vital role in empowering coastal communities, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve their fish processing practices, generate higher incomes, and ultimately, build a more prosperous future for themselves and their families.
