Serang, August 9th, 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic never prevented PT. XL Axiata (XL Axiata) from taking initiatives in assisting the increase of traditional fishermen produce through the utilization of the Laut Nusantara application, complete with accurate fishing locations, it is accessible to all fishermen. This application offers information on accurate fishing areas at sea. Taking advantage of the momentum of this program’s development and its’ diversification carried out by the Indonesian Ministry of Fishery and Marine Affairs (KKP) in Lontar Village of the Tirtayasa District in the Serang Regency (Banten Province) on Wednesday (5/7), the XL Axiata team was able to introduce this application to local fishermen. Alongside with this agenda, XL Axiata also provided internet access to obtain the learning materials for long-distance learning (PJJ) to the children of local fishermen.
Region Group Head for XL Axiata Jabodetabek & Kalimantan, Francky Rinaldo Pakpahan said, “The Covid-19 pandemic and the economic impact we feel right now shows that this is the right moment for us to continue to introduce the Laut Nusantara application, encouraging fishermen to remain productive. We mustn't let the conditions discourage them. Moreover, KKP has also initiated a development and diversification program aimed at helping fishing communities. The Laut Nusantara application will be a tool that can help lighten their workload in fishing."
There are at least 100 fishermen who participated in the socialization of the use of the Laut Nusantara application. They were exposed to the benefits of digital technology in helping to increase (fish) catches in the sea while ensuring their safety at work. One of the features they would need is a clue in locating fishes, which they have been unable to predict. Digital technology supported by satellite data is able to provide this data.
The Laut Nusantara application delivers accurate data regarding the various needs of fishermen while at sea, including location of fishes, weather data related to wind speed along with wave conditions, fuel calculations, and an emergency call features for emergency situations. In addition, this application also provides a chat feature that fishermen can use to get information about fish prices at their local markets.
Through developments and diversification program in this industry that was initiated by the KKP, the fishing communities in Lontar Village are also given entrepreneurship training to be able to improve their economic conditions. The ministry (KKP) also facilitates fishermen in Lontar Village in accessing their assets to increase their business capacity through the Fisherman Funding Outlet. Through this outlet, it is hoped that fishermen will have broader insight into accessing assets through financial institutions in order for them to increase their business capacity.
This Fishermen Empowerment Program in Serang Regency is not limited to only the fishermen themselves, the program also targets their families (wife and children) through business developments and diversification. The wives of local fishermen are also given training in processing fish and seaweed up to the marketing stage according to the existing potential in order to increase the added value of produce for fishermen and their families. With this training, it is hoped that the program can create and grow Alternative Livelihoods (MPA) for fishermen and their families so that they can improve their family’s economic conditions and reduce dependency on the catches of these fishermen, especially during the dry or less profitable season in fishing.
Internet access for the children of local fishermen
Alongside the introduction of the Laut Nusantara application, XL Axiata also provided internet access and assistance for the children of local fishermen so they could freely participate in long-distance learning (PJJ). In Lontar Village, Tirtayasa District, Serang Regency, there are over 300 students, ranging from elementary to high school or vocational school levels. Help is given in the form of router devices that can be used to access the internet simultaneously for up to 32 devices at once, as well as monthly data package of 20 GB that is valid for 1 year.
The router is placed in a building or hall that can be used for community meetings, which is located near the Lontar Village fish auction. The children here can access the web with great internet quality, in which they will be divided into groups while sitting in during their long distance learning programs. Therefore, XL Axiata also coordinated with the Serang Regency Food Security Service which manages the venue. Head of Sales for XL Axiata Banten Area, Tom Dedi also directly monitored the installation of the devices in the facility.
Similar to other rural areas, there are at least three obstacles that these students face when trying to follow long distance learning programs, in which mostly relates to signal quality for internet access, along with the financial ability of parents to buy data packages and a smartphone.
"We are immensely touched and honored to help the students in Lontar Village to receive internet access in order for them to attend their long distance learning (PJJ) programs eaiser within this difficult period. Moreover, we are also taking the time to help assist their parents through the socialization program for the Laut Nusantara application. Through support in the form of router devices, we are showing our support by giving internet access and to ease the burden of buying (quota) data packages, simultaneously. Hopefully, this facility can be utilized effectively to its’ full potential and usage by the children of local fishermen here in Lontar Village, " Tom Dedi stated.