KBRN, Sumber: Gebang Mekar village in Cirebon Regency, West Java, is witnessing the development of the Red-and-White Fishermen Village (KNMP). Local people hope that the program will improve their quality of life as part of an initiative under the government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

The Red and White Fishermen Village is a program designed to transform fishermen's villages across Indonesia, enhancing the quality of fishery products and the livelihoods of local communities. As quoted by the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the program includes the development of adequate infrastructure, institutional strengthening, and the opening of broader trade access.

Under this program, fishermen's villages will be equipped with facilities for catch storage and access to proper fish marketing areas. Facilities to be built may include cold storage units, fish kiosks, boat repair workshops, and storage warehouses.

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is currently targeting the development of 100 Red-and-White Fishermen Villages nationwide. In the first phase, a total of 65 locations are targeted for completion by December 2025.

A facility, part of Red-and-White Fishermen Village (KMNP), is being built in Gebang Mekar Village, Cirebon Regency, West Java in an undated photo. (Photo:Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs)

Gebang Mekar village, home to around 600 fishermen, is one of the 65 villages selected for the Red and White Fishermen Village project. The main catches of local fishermen include blue swimming crabs, squid, and shrimp, with annual production values reaching up to Rp16 billion (about US$953,400).

Darun, one of the Gebang Mekar fishermen, said that the fishermen's village has long been awaited by coastal residents. He hoped its development could "run smoothly until completion".

“Once it can be used, our activities will be much more supported,” he said, as quoted by a statement from the country's Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs received by RRI Voice of Indonesia on Saturday (12/27/2025).

Similar hopes were expressed by Deri, a female fisherman who relies on marine resources in her daily life. According to her, adequate facilities will have a direct impact on the welfare of fishermen’s families.

“If it is completed and functioning, God willing, the impact will be significant for us,” she said.