The atmosphere at FARM 2025 was filled with energy and a sense of shared purpose. Farmers Learning Club (FLC) with Shrimp Club Indonesia (SCI) invited stakeholders from across the shrimp value chain to gather under one roof. The message was clear. This was not just another event. This was a platform to build networks, share knowledge, and create solutions together for the future of Indonesia’s shrimp industry. Held on September 25 at Swissôtel Jakarta PIK Avenue, the event became a significant milestone in uniting voices across the sector.
Opening the event, Gerry Kamahara, FLC Chairman, reminded participants that while challenges were real, opportunities remained abundant. The U.S, he noted, was still one of the most critical markets for Indonesian shrimp. Yet it was also a market that tolerated no mistakes. If the industry faltered in maintaining product quality or was found to be misusing antibiotics, the consequences could be devastating. Access to markets could be lost, and once lost, it might be impossible to regain.
He urged his peers to resist the temptation of short-term gains that jeopardized long-term sustainability. “Everybody can make mistakes, and everybody can chase profit,” he said, “but we must protect the future for our children and grandchildren.” He emphasized that competitiveness was not only about price but also about value. Indonesian shrimp had to be seen as reliable, safe, and sustainable. Tariffs had been managed well, keeping Indonesia competitive against countries like India, but the next battle would be about trust and reputation.
The call for collaboration was a recurring theme in his remarks. Gerry pointed out that the shrimp sector was deeply interconnected. Decisions taken at the farm level had consequences for the entire supply chain. Issues such as traceability, animal welfare, and certification were no longer optional but essential. He concluded his talk with a rallying cry for innovation, value addition, and above all, unity.
Unexpected industry dynamics
Previously, at the Working Meeting, SCI Chairman Prof. Andi Tamsil said that the industry’s ups and downs are not simply problems but dynamics. These dynamics, he admitted, often left farmers and business owners feeling anxious about what might come next.
He outlined the turbulence that had recently shaped the sector. Disease outbreaks had challenged resilience on the ground. Trade disputes such as the Trump tariffs had added further uncertainty. And most recently, the unexpected issue of radioactive contamination had entered the conversation. Each of these dynamics had created ripples that affected every part of the industry.
The impact was already visible. Reports indicated that shrimp farm gate prices had, in some regions, fallen to nearly half of their usual level. For farmers, this was not just a statistic. It meant tighter margins, delayed investments, and in some cases, the risk of walking away from their ponds altogether. “We very much expect the government to act swiftly,” he said. “Measures are needed that can calm all of us, from farmers to markets to the public, so that the industry can keep its spirit alive.”
FARM 2025 was a platform to build networks, share knowledge, and create solutions together for the future of Indonesia’s shrimp industry. Credits: Meliyana Dahlan
Innovation and collaboration as drivers of growth
With industry and policy challenges laid bare, the conversation turned to solutions through research and innovation. Professor Arif Satria, Rector of IPB University, highlighted that innovation was one of the strongest drivers of economic growth. He pointed to Indonesia’s position in the Global Innovation Index, noting that while progress had been made, the country still lagged behind several of its neighbors. Stronger collaboration between industry and academia, he argued, would be the key to closing that gap.
He shared examples of technologies that could support the shrimp sector. Probiotics, for instance, offered a sustainable alternative to antibiotics, improving shrimp health while ensuring market access. Digital tools such as sensors and IoT systems were already being used in some farms to optimize growth, but adoption was uneven. The challenge was to make these innovations widely accessible and affordable.
Prof. Arif also addressed the cultural divide between universities and industry. Too often, research was carried out without connection to real-world problems, while businesses hesitated to adopt academic findings. He emphasized the need for alignment, for research to be guided by farmers’ needs, and for industry to engage with academic partners. With optimism, he reminded the audience that after hardship always comes ease. If approached with collaboration and positive thinking, the sector’s current struggles could be turned into opportunities.
Director General of Aquaculture, Dr. Tb Haeru Rahayu, acknowledged that Indonesia’s shrimp industry faced a particularly complex set of issues compared to other countries. Land use, certification, traceability, and animal welfare were all pressing concerns, and unlike in places like Vietnam, these challenges in Indonesia were often fragmented, making them harder to solve.
Tb Haeru underscored that sustainability was now at the center of global aquaculture. Buyers in the U.S and Europe wanted to know not just where shrimp came from, but also how it was produced. Animal welfare, traceability, and best practices were no longer optional. He urged farmers to move away from practices that could damage Indonesia’s reputation and instead focus on building long-term credibility.
Market diversification was also highlighted as a priority. While the U.S remained crucial, opportunities in China, the Middle East, and Europe were expanding. Indonesian shrimp had already begun entering these markets, but competitors such as Ecuador were still ahead. To compete, Indonesia needed stronger production systems and more effective associations to represent farmers’ voices.
Tb Haeru reminded the audience that the government alone could not resolve every challenge. Regulations and policies were important, but true progress would depend on shared responsibility. “We are not superheroes. We need to work hand in hand,” he concluded.
