InfoSAWIT, LAHAT – PT Sawit Mas Sejahtera (PT SMS), a subsidiary of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, carried out the first harvest of its freshwater aquaculture program in Beringin Jaya Village, Lahat Regency, South Sumatra, producing around 1.6 tons of catfish to help meet local food demand and strengthen the village economy.
The community empowerment initiative is part of the company’s broader effort to support food security and sustainable rural livelihoods through freshwater fish farming development.
The inaugural harvest event was attended by representatives from the Lahat Fisheries Agency, Beringin Jaya Village officials, and the Beringin Jaya Farmer Group, which manages the catfish cultivation program.
During the event, the Lahat Regency Government, through the Fisheries Agency, presented an appreciation award to PT Sawit Mas Sejahtera for its contribution to freshwater aquaculture development and support for the region’s Fish Self-Sufficiency Program.
The catfish farming initiative has been running since 2025 and is managed by a 10-member farmer group. The harvested catfish are being distributed to local communities and marketed to local traders.
The company said the program aligns with the Lahat Regency Government’s Fish Self-Sufficiency Program, launched in 2019, which aims to strengthen food resilience, improve nutrition, and stimulate village-based economic growth.
Catfish were selected due to their high nutritional value, relatively easy cultivation process, and short harvesting cycle of around two to three months. The species is also widely consumed by communities surrounding Beringin Jaya Village.
Head of the Lahat Fisheries Agency, Marully, praised the initiative, saying it demonstrated strong collaboration between the private sector, government, and local communities in advancing freshwater fisheries development.
“Today’s harvest is tangible proof of synergy between the private sector, government, and the community. We appreciate the company’s contribution and hope this initiative can continue sustainably,” Marully said in an official statement received by InfoSAWIT on Tuesday (12/5/2026).
He added that the Fisheries Agency is currently updating data on active fisheries groups to support future program planning, while noting that demand for catfish remains strong, reaching up to three tons per day.
“The market demand for catfish remains high. The Fisheries Agency can act as a facilitator to connect producers with markets and consumers. In the future, we also see broader opportunities, including catfish export potential,” he added.
The program forms part of the Bright Future Initiative, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food’s MSME acceleration network, which has supported 113 small and medium enterprises through 189 projects across the company’s operational areas in Indonesia.
Through the initiative, the company continues to promote sustainable livelihood programs tailored to local community needs and economic potential. (T2)
