Indonesian water potentials have yet to be integrated with economic development aspect

[Unpad.ac.id, 14/06/2013] Indonesia, as a maritime country, possesses great water potentials, covering 75% of its territory. Unfortunately, those potentials have not been integrated with the nation’s economic development.

According to Prof. Dr. Ir. Rokhmin Damhuri, M.S., professor from Bogor Agriculture Institute, marine sector can benefit Indonesian’ economy at large. “It is unfortunate that we hardly relate our vast marine ecology with economic development aspects,” said Prof. Damhuri when speaking before FPIK students on Thursday (13/06) in a national seminar on synergy of university and stakeholder for Indonesian Marine and Fishery Development to commemorate FPIK’s 8^th anniversary. Also speaking in the seminar were Dr. Ir. Agus Somamihardja (Vice President PT JAPVA Comfeed Indonesia),Ir. Agus Darmawan, M.Si. (Direktur Pulau-Pulau Kecil, Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan), Prof. Dr. Ir. Dulmiad Iriana (Guru Besar FPIK Unpad), and Ir. Asril Djuanidi, M.Sc. (Marine Capacity Building Program Manager, Conservation International Indonesia).

Water sectors can supply market demand for they contain so many natural resources to be developed furher. The government, however, does not give enough attention to it. This is evident in the meager amount of fishery sector in national development.

“Let’s take a glimpse at the masterplan of economic expansion and development acceleration (MP3EI). Out 6 development corridors, only two corridors stress the importance of water sector. To make matters worse, the two corridors focus only on fishing industry,” said this former minister of fisheries and marine affairs.

Lack of infrastructures contribute to the minimum management water sectors. Water transportation facilities and defense are believed to increase the country’s level of competitiveness.

Concerned with such condition, Prof. Damhuri invited the students to hold hands and encourage development of the country’s water sector. One effort that can be done is implementing skills and expertise that FPIK students will have gained upon graduating. “After you graduate, don’t choose a profession that is not in accordance with your field of expertise. You should give a great to toil to implement the knowledge you have gain for the betterment of our water sectors,” he concluded.