The government continues to strengthen the role of coastal women in the national nutritious food supply chain. Through a three-day Technical Guidance (Bimtek) program on “Readiness of Women’s Fish-Processing Groups Toward Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program Standards”, 40 women from eight fish-processing enterprise groups in Southeast Maluku participated in intensive training in Langgur (20–22 October 2025).

Group photo taken during the “Readiness of Women’s Fish-Processing Groups Toward Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program Standards in Southeast Maluku” Technical Guidance, facilitated by the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia grant, Langgur (October 20-22, 2025)

This program stems from a collaboration between the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), the Southeast Maluku Fisheries Service, supported by the GEF-6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative – Indonesia (CFI Indonesia) and WWF-US GEF Agency. The initiative represents a strategic step to enable female micro-enterprise actors to meet MBG food product standards — a national program ensuring balanced nutrition for millions of Indonesian children.

Coastal Women as Engines of Local Economy and Nutrition

Deputy Regent of Southeast Maluku, Charlos Viali Rahantoknam, who inaugurated the event, emphasized the importance of enhancing coastal women’s capacity. He noted that the economic potential of processed seafood remains underutilized.

Deputy Regent Charlos Viali Rahantoknam delivers remarks while officially opening the “Readiness of Women’s Fish-Processing Groups Toward Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program Standards in Southeast Maluku” Technical Guidance, facilitated by the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia grant, Langgur (October 20, 2025)

“If the women only sell raw fish, the value is small. But if it is processed into higher-value products like fish floss or nuggets, their income increases,” he said.

He also stressed the strong link between the fisheries sector, the local economy, and stunting prevention. “We know MBG needs fish protein. Therefore, our focus must be on strengthening local fisheries products as part of food security,” he added.

Charlos said the implementation of this Technical Guidance is the result of a joint initiative between the regional government and the CFI Indonesia Project Manager. The aim is to connect coastal women’s groups directly into the MBG supply ecosystem so they can economically benefit from Southeast Maluku’s abundant marine resources.

Real Impact of CFI Indonesia

Over the past six years, the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia program has benefited more than 5,300 fishers, 32 percent of whom are female. Through trainings, production-equipment assistances, and product certification facilitations, women’s groups are now beginning to access modern retail markets.

Knowledge Management & MNE Specialist for CFI Indonesia PMU, Ahadar Tuhuteru, delivers a keynote at the “Readiness of Women’s Fish-Processing Groups Toward Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program Standards in Southeast Maluku” Technical Guidance, Langgur (October 20, 2025)

According to Ahadar Tuhuteru of CFI Indonesia, his organization focuses on supporting women’s groups to meet MBG standards, especially in certification and product visibility. “We are preparing them as local suppliers, ensuring their products are safe, nutritious, and compliant with MBG requirements,” he explained.

He further stressed that certification and product visibility are vital so that the products can sustain and satisfy MBG demand.

Safeguard and Gender Specialist for GEF 6 CFI Indonesia PMU, Fardiatum Amalia, presents CFI Indonesia’s profile and progress at the “Readiness of Women’s Fish-Processing Groups Toward Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program Standards in Southeast Maluku” Technical Guidance (October 20, 2025)

Meanwhile, Fardiatum Amalia, CFI Indonesia’s Safeguard and Gender Specialist, revealed that there are currently 10 modern retail outlets in Langgur and Ambon selling products developed under this program. “By August 2025 alone, sales reached IDR 180 million. This proves that coastal women’s empowerment not only boosts the economy but also supports national nutrition,” she stated.

MSME Regulation and Standards: Voice from the Maluku DKP

In the technical discussion session, Karolis W. Iwamony, Head of the Aquaculture, Processing and Marketing Division at the Maluku Provincial Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office, explained the importance of processing-eligibility certification for fisheries MSMEs.

Head of the Aquaculture, Processing and Marketing Division at the Maluku Provincial Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office, Karolis W. Iwamony, presents on “The Role of Processing Feasibility Certificate (SKP) in Supporting Micro-Small Business Competitiveness” at the “Readiness of Women’s Fish-Processing Groups Toward Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program Standards in Southeast Maluku” Technical Guidance (October 21, 2025)

“In Government Regulation (PP) No. 28 of 2025 on Business Licensing, every MSME entity must hold a Processing Feasibility Certificate (SKP) issued by the government for their processing unit,” he said. He stated that the certificate is evidence the business meets standards of sanitation, hygiene and good processing procedures.

He emphasized that these standards are not merely a formality, but a form of consumer protection and a guarantee of local product quality. “To support MBG, fisheries MSMEs must be certified so that the products they offer are safe, nutritious, and do not pose any health risks,” he added.

BPOM and Government Support for Local MSMEs

During the training session, Tamran Ismail, Head of Ambon BPOM, placed special emphasis on food safety and legality. He noted that this responsibility lies not only with government but also with food entrepreneurs themselves.

Head of Ambon BPOM Ambon, Tamran Ismail, hands over a PIRT certificate to a beneficiary group, followed by the handover of a Processing Feasibility Certificate (SKP) by Karolis W. Iwamony, Head of the Aquaculture, Processing and Marketing Division at the Maluku Provincial Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office, to one of the CFI Indonesia-assisted production houses.

“Consumers have the right to receive safe products. Since they pay for them, producers must ensure the quality and safety of every product sold,” affirmed Tamran.

He explained that distribution permits such as PIRT and BPOM are proof the products have passed nationally-recognized safety tests. “Distribution permits are not just documents but they reflect society’s trust in MSME product quality,” he added.

Demonstration of fish-based product processing according to MBG standards, observed by Ambon BPOM, Maluku DKP, and Southeast Maluku Regency Government (Fisheries Service, Health Office, Food Security Service, and Industry and Trade Office) at the production house of Sid Sarmav Sneck — one of Ohoidertaun groups that CFI Indonesia assisted (October 22, 2025)

As part of the MBG Acceleration Working Group, BPOM will continue coordinating with relevant agencies to expedite the legalization and certification process for local food products. “We aim for Maluku-processed seafood products to obtain distribution permits and be commercialized soon. The government stands ready to support from upstream to downstream,” said Tamran.

On this occasion, BPOM Ambon presented the PIRT Certificate to beneficiary groups, followed by the handover of the Processing Feasibility Certificate (SKP) by the Maluku DKP to one of the production houses assisted by CFI Indonesia.

Toward Local Food Self-Reliance and Nutritional Welfare

The program concluded with hands-on processing of fish-based products according to MBG standards. The event was followed by the distribution of nutritious meals to 50 students of Ohoidertaun Elementary School and the launch of local fish-based MBG products.

The atmosphere was full of enthusiasm. Students and participants — most of whom are fisherwomen — enthusiastically participated in every stage of the event, from the cooking to presenting their processed dishes.

Through this activity, participants not only learned how to serve optimal nutrition from marine resources to children but also opened new opportunities to become future MBG program suppliers.

The “Readiness of Women’s Fish-Processing Groups Toward Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program Standards in Southeast Maluku” Technical Guidance series were concluded with handing out fish-based processed meals to 50 students and launching local fish-based MBG products.

This event is proof that cross-sector synergy — between central and regional government, international agencies, and coastal communities — can drive real change.

The MBG program is not merely a food distribution project but also an economic empowerment strategy for local communities, enhancing children’s nutrition and strengthening the role of women as food-security drivers in coastal regions.