Rumondang Rumondang, Hadi Suriono, Muhammad Sabir Ramadhan, Adelia Fransiska, Kurnia Aidila Fitri, Zeini Ardianti Putri, Hesti Sulistia Ningrum, Syafrida Br Tambunan, Nurhadi Nurhadi

Community Empowerment through Participatory Training for Sustainable Nile Tilapia Farming in Tanjung Alam, Asahan Regency

Introduction

Community empowerment through participatory training for sustainable nile tilapia farming in tanjung alam, asahan regency. Empowering Tanjung Alam's fish farmers through participatory training for sustainable Nile tilapia farming. Boost aquaculture skills, improve water quality, and enhance economic welfare.

Abstract

The cultivation of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a strategic initiative to promote aquaculture development in Indonesia and to enhance economic welfare by providing sustainable income opportunities. This community empowerment program was implemented with the Sudo Mina Jaya Fish Farmers Group in Tanjung Alam Village, Asahan Regency, aiming to strengthen farmers’ capacity and technical skills through a participatory approach. Key challenges identified included inadequate water quality management, limited knowledge of breeding techniques, and issues affecting fish health and productivity. The program employed the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method, comprising an initial survey, training on sustainable tilapia breeding, pond management, and probiotic production, as well as technical assistance and interactive guidance sessions. Program effectiveness was evaluated using pre-test and post-test assessments. Results showed a significant increase in participants’ knowledge scores from a mean pre-test score of 54 to a post-test mean of 92 (n = 13), confirmed by a Wilcoxon signed-rank test (Z = 3.209, p = 0.001). Continued technical assistance and regular monitoring further supported the practical application of the knowledge gained. This program successfully provided practical solutions to local challenges, enhanced participants’ aquaculture skills, and opened opportunities for sustainable fish farming businesses

Review

This paper presents a highly relevant and timely study on community empowerment through participatory training, specifically focusing on sustainable Nile tilapia farming in Tanjung Alam, Asahan Regency. Addressing the strategic importance of aquaculture development in Indonesia and the need for sustainable income opportunities, the initiative directly tackles key challenges faced by local fish farmers, such as inadequate water quality management, limited breeding knowledge, and issues impacting fish health. The program's objective to strengthen capacity and technical skills among the Sudo Mina Jaya Fish Farmers Group is commendable and aligns well with broader development goals. A significant strength of this program lies in its adoption of the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method, which ensures the training is context-specific and directly addresses the identified local needs. The comprehensive nature of the intervention, spanning initial surveys, training on sustainable breeding and pond management, probiotic production, and ongoing technical assistance, demonstrates a robust approach to skill development. The effectiveness of the training is rigorously evaluated using pre-test and post-test assessments, yielding statistically significant results. The reported increase in mean knowledge scores from 54 to 92 (p = 0.001) provides compelling evidence of the program's success in enhancing participants' understanding and technical aquaculture skills. The commitment to continued technical assistance and regular monitoring further ensures the practical application of newly acquired knowledge. While the study clearly demonstrates a substantial increase in knowledge, the abstract would benefit from elaborating on the direct practical outcomes and tangible impacts beyond improved scores. For instance, more specific details on how the "opportunities for sustainable fish farming businesses" are being realized, or any preliminary data on actual changes in farming practices, fish health, or productivity, would significantly strengthen the claims of success. Furthermore, the relatively small sample size (n=13) warrants consideration when discussing generalizability, although it is acceptable for a targeted community intervention. Future research could explore the long-term sustainability of the introduced practices, the economic benefits accruing to the farmers, and the potential for scaling this successful model to other communities facing similar aquaculture challenges.

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