Jakarta, Aug. 3 -- Indonesia's Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry is rolling out a thematic aquaculture program to help secure supplies of protein-rich ingredients for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program while boosting local economies.

Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono explained that the program was designed to integrate aquaculture into village economies, helping fish farmers increase production and secure broader market access.

"Through institutional strengthening and partnerships, aquaculture yields will have market certainty and support the provision of free meals for the public," he noted in a press release cited in Jakarta on Monday.

As part of the initiative, the ministry is developing a catfish aquaculture estate using biof...