Unsri Faculty Member Introduces Environmentally Friendly Technology to Catfish Farmers

A team of faculty members from the Aquaculture Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Sriwijaya University (Unsri) in Palembang introduced an environmentally friendly “green waste” (g-waste) aquaculture technology based on zero water exchange to catfish farmers in South Sumatra (Sumsel).

“One of the target areas for introducing this environmentally friendly technology is the Usaha Makmur Fish Farmers Group (Pokdakan) in Tanjung Seteko Village, Indralaya Subdistrict, Ogan Ilir Regency, South Sumatra,” said the head of the activity implementation team, Mirna Fitrani, in Palembang on Friday.

This September, a team of faculty members and students from the Aquaculture Study Program conducted intensive outreach and training on the application of this environmentally friendly technology for the Usaha Makmur Fish Farmers’ Group, fisheries extension workers, and village officials in Tanjung Seteko.

During the event, the team provided an overview of the challenges aquaculture farmers have faced, ranging from the accumulation of organic waste—such as uneaten feed and fish feces—and high ammonia levels, to the reliance on frequent water changes, which increases operational costs.

The training was conducted in a participatory manner. Participants not only received theoretical instruction but were also actively involved in practical exercises measuring water quality parameters, such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and ammonia levels.

The team also introduced a field-scale demonstration plot (demplot) design, which is expected to serve as a model for learning among group members and the surrounding community.

This activity is part of a community-based community service program (PKM) funded by the Sriwijaya University DIPA for Fiscal Year 2026.

This activity is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 on clean water management, and supports Unsri’s flagship programs in the areas of food security and sustainable natural resource management based on community empowerment.

Furthermore, it represents one form of implementing the “Impactful Diktisaintek” principle, which emphasizes the utilization of research outcomes as concrete solutions for the community.

Moving forward, the team will continue the program with periodic technical assistance, the construction of demonstration plots at partner sites, and monitoring and evaluation of outcomes.

He explained that the technology introduced to the catfish farmers is the result of the team’s research in water quality management and a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)-based constructed wetland system designed to treat catfish farming wastewater.

The system introduced to them allows aquaculture water to be continuously recycled through biofilter units and aquatic plant media, so that organic waste does not need to be disposed of but is instead reprocessed into beneficial nutrients.

Through these efforts, it is hoped that farmers will no longer need to rely on routine water changes, which have long been one of the biggest sources of inefficiency in their operations.

Some of the targeted success indicators include a reduction in ammonia levels by more than 30 percent, a reduction in the frequency of water changes by more than 70 percent, and the formation of an environmentally conscious group as part of the program’s sustainability at the village level.

“We hope this program does not end as a mere ceremonial event, but truly becomes the starting point for transforming the aquaculture system in Tanjung Seteko toward more efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable practices, while tangibly improving the well-being of the aquaculture community,” said Mirna.

Idris, a representative of the Usaha Makmur Fishery Group, expressed his appreciation for the attention the Unsri team has given to their group.

Until now, the farming systems used by villagers have remained traditional to semi-intensive, relying on swamp water and rainwater, without the support of a measurable water quality management system.

“Therefore, this training is seen as addressing the urgent needs that the farmers have been directly experiencing,” he said.