Yuri Pratama

The challenge

The population of the Thousand Islands regency, to the north of Jakarta, has long depended on traditional fishing for a living. However, returns are low and costs high, as fishing is dependent on the use of expensive diesel fuel. This problem is common in Indonesia where fishermen are among the poorest group in society. Most fishermen do not have knowledge, skills or guidance to breed fish on land.

Business approach

Yuri Pratama will help to bring fishing communities in this region out of poverty by teaching them how to farm sea urchins - a natural resource of the Thousand Islands. Members of the community will be trained in integrated aquaculture management. Yuri also plans to help establish a sea urchin farmer cooperative, to enable the community to interact freely with the market. Meanwhile, a company in Jakarta, directed by Yuri, will act as marketing agent for overseas markets.

Goals and objectives

The fishermen's income will be improved, thus narrowing the existing economic gap between fishermen and traders in the Thousand Islands. They will gain new skills in sea urchin farming and have an opportunity to share their skills with other regions in Indonesia. If this project is successful, it may be used as a model for empowering poor traditional fishermen in other areas.