PALMOILMAGAZINE, LAHAT – PT Sawit Mas Sejahtera (PT SMS), a subsidiary of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, has successfully completed the first harvest of its freshwater fish farming program in Beringin Jaya Village, Lahat Regency, South Sumatra. The initiative is part of the company’s community empowerment efforts aimed at supporting food security and strengthening the local rural economy.
The inaugural harvest event was attended by representatives from the Lahat Fisheries Office, the Head of Beringin Jaya Village, and the Beringin Jaya Farmers Group, which manages the catfish farming project.
During the event, the Lahat Regency Government through its Fisheries Office presented an appreciation award to PT Sawit Mas Sejahtera for its contribution to the development of freshwater aquaculture in Beringin Jaya Village. The recognition also reflected the company’s support for the Fish Self-Sufficiency Program initiated by the Lahat regional government.
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The catfish farming program has been running since 2025 and is managed by the Beringin Jaya Farmers Group, consisting of 10 members. In the first harvest cycle, the group successfully produced around 1.6 tons of catfish, which were distributed to meet local consumption needs and sold to nearby traders.
The company stated that the initiative aligns with Lahat Regency’s Fish Self-Sufficiency Program, which has been one of the regional government’s priorities since its launch in 2019. Through freshwater fish cultivation, the company hopes to help improve food security, strengthen community nutrition, and support local economic growth.
Catfish was selected because of its strong nutritional value, relatively simple cultivation process, and short harvest cycle of approximately two to three months. In addition, catfish remains one of the most popular freshwater fish commodities among residents in the surrounding area.
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Head of the Lahat Fisheries Office, Marully, praised the success of the first harvest and described it as a concrete example of collaboration between the private sector, government, and local communities in developing freshwater fisheries.
“Today’s harvest demonstrates strong synergy between the private sector, government, and the community. We appreciate the company’s contribution and hope this initiative can continue sustainably,” he said in an official statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com on Tuesday (12/5/2026).
Marully added that the Fisheries Office is currently updating data on active fisheries groups to support future program planning. According to him, demand for catfish remains highly promising, with market needs continuing to increase.
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“Daily market demand for catfish can reach around three tons. The Fisheries Office can serve as a facilitator connecting producers with markets and consumers. Going forward, we also see broader opportunities for expansion, including catfish export potential,” he explained.
The community empowerment initiative is part of the Bright Future Initiative, an MSME acceleration network developed by Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food. The program has assisted 113 micro, small, and medium enterprises in implementing and developing 189 projects across the company’s operational areas in Indonesia.
Through the initiative, the company continues to promote sustainable livelihood development tailored to local community needs and potential. The catfish farming project in Beringin Jaya Village is expected to continue growing while generating economic and social benefits and strengthening food resilience for surrounding communities. (P2)
