Kelompok UMKM Meruyung Fish Farm Menerima Edukasi Pengmas UPNVJ Mengenai Pemanfaatan Mesin Fish Feeder

A team of lecturers and students from the Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta recently engaged in a community service activity with a group of Small and Medium Enterprises (UMKM) specializing in freshwater fish farming at Meuruyung Fish Farm in the Meruyung sub-district of Limo, Depok City, West Java. This initiative is part of the Community Service Program with a Community-Based Service scheme under the scope of Community Partnership Empowerment. The program is supported and funded by DRTPM, Directorate General of Higher Education, and the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education.

The project, led by Dr. James Julian, Fitri Wahyuni, and Dr. Miguna Astuti, CPM, took place during the 2024 period. Dr. James Julian explained that the UMKM Meruyung Fish Farm is a business involved in freshwater fish farming, particularly tilapia and catfish. „This UMKM has been operating for 1 year and is one of the forms of self-employment established by Mr. Ade Fikri. Until now, this UMKM continues to strive to expand its business by utilizing more advanced and up-to-date technologies,“ he stated.

However, Dr. James Julian pointed out some challenges that are considered obstacles to the fisheries industry in UMKM. One of the issues is the non-homogeneous growth of fish caused by inconsistent and immeasurable feeding practices, hindering fish growth. Additionally, there is a lack of technology to address the problem of non-homogeneous growth.

Furthermore, Dr. James Julian added that this aspect leads to production issues, such as non-homogeneous fish growth affecting the quality of the fish. To tackle these problems, the team of community service lecturers from Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta implemented the Fish Feeder Machine technology. This IoT-based device is designed to automatically feed fish according to a predetermined schedule and dosage discussed with fish farming practitioners.

The Fish Feeder can be accessed via the internet, allowing business owners to feed fish even when they are not present. Some feeder models are equipped with sensors or cameras for monitoring fish activity and remaining food levels in the aquarium, providing a holistic view of fish health and aquarium environment. The machine can even detect water pH levels and other water quality indicators.

„With the Fish Feeder technology, fish feeding patterns will be more regular, and pond conditions will be easier to control. This will undoubtedly improve fish quality, reduce mortality rates, and enhance the lifespan of farmed fish,“ explained Dr. James Julian.

In conclusion, the collaboration between the academic community and UMKM in the field of freshwater fish farming demonstrates the importance of technology in overcoming challenges and improving the sustainability and productivity of small-scale fisheries enterprises. This initiative not only benefits the UMKM but also contributes to the overall development of the local community and economy.