Tabalong – PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Tanjung Field organized a Haruan Fish Farming Training for the Haruan Borneo Group on August 18–21, 2025, at the Kuas Jirak Production House located in Jirak Village, Pugaan Subdistrict, Tabalong Regency, South Kalimantan. The program was part of the SEKARA Jirak Program, a rebranding of the Kuas Jirak Program, a long-running Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by PEP Tanjung Field that had delivered a positive impact in the area.

SEKARA stands for Sentra Kampung Haruan, a village initiative aimed at establishing an integrated ecosystem for haruan fish farming, from upstream to downstream. The program not only focused on strengthening community capacity in aquaculture techniques but also emphasized product processing and marketing strategies, enabling Jirak Village to develop as a fisheries hub rooted in local wisdom. This initiative was born out of the abundant freshwater fish resources in Jirak, which had yet to be fully optimized, despite growing market demand for haruan fish.

Field Manager of PEP Tanjung Field, Charlie Parmonangan Nainggolan, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs around its operational areas. “Aligned with the implementation of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in upstream oil and gas operations, PEP Tanjung Field continuously supports programs and initiatives that empower and enhance the independence of local communities,” he said.

According to Charlie, this program demonstrated the company’s commitment to supporting government policy on food self-sufficiency while improving community welfare. Through this training, PEP Tanjung Field aimed to help the community increase income independently, ensure the availability of animal protein, and encourage the emergence of new entrepreneurs in local fish product processing. With an integrated upstream-to-downstream approach, the program not only focused on farming techniques but also laid the foundation for a sustainable village economy,” he added.

The training was attended by 15 members of the Haruan Borneo Group. PEP Tanjung Field invited expert trainers from the Freshwater Aquaculture Development Center (BPAT) in Mandi Angin, South Kalimantan, namely Busyairi and Sarmani. Both experts delivered comprehensive technical material covering breeding, water management, and fish disease prevention interactively and practically.

On the first and second days, participants received guidance on breeding techniques, fish rearing, and fry care, including the selection of farming locations and appropriate feed for one-week-old fry. The third and fourth days were devoted to field practice, utilizing the village’s ten ponds, each measuring 10 x 8 meters, managed by the Haruan Borneo Group. Participants directly learned how to distinguish male and female broodstock, select feed for growth, and care for brood candidates. The program concluded with monitoring of the village’s fish ponds, which serve as vital assets for Jirak’s fishery group.

The training received high appreciation from both participants and trainers. Chairperson of the Haruan Borneo Group, Dani, said, “We thank PEP Tanjung Field for facilitating this haruan fish farming training, which greatly supports us as the Haruan Borneo Group under the guidance of PEP Tanjung Field. We hope this SEKARA Jirak Program can serve as a model for other fishery groups to develop haruan aquaculture, given the high demand in South Kalimantan.”

Meanwhile, BPAT Mandi Angin expert, Busyairi, also expressed appreciation. “We thank PEP Tanjung Field for facilitating this training. It has motivated the community to participate in haruan fish farming in South Kalimantan. Haruan is quite challenging to cultivate, with no region yet able to achieve harvest rates above 60%. We hope that with this knowledge-sharing, the Haruan Borneo Group will be more motivated to develop haruan farming further,” he said.

Dony Indrawan, Manager of Communication Relations & CID of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), explained the company’s CSR program management strategy, which is based on local issues and potentials, such as the SEKARA Jirak Program. “We design CSR programs based on social mapping in our operational areas to ensure positive impact and sustainability of these initiatives,” he said.

Through this activity, Dony emphasized, the company expected the Jirak Village community to master the whole value chain of haruan aquaculture, from breeding to processing and marketing. “Through this program, we not only aimed to enhance the community’s technical skills but also to build economic independence, create new job opportunities, and strengthen the village’s contribution to regional economic growth in a sustainable way,” he concluded.

PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Tanjung Field is part of Zona 9 Subholding Upstream Regional 3 Kalimantan, which is led by PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia. Through cooperation with SKK Migas, PEP Tanjung Field operates an innovative Corporate Social Responsibility program in the areas of Economy, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response, supporting sustainable community empowerment and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. Further information about PHI-Regional 3 Kalimantan is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.