Pengembangan Ekosistem Akuakultur Berkelanjutan berbasis Komunitas melalui Aksi Partisipatif di Kawasan Semi-Urban Mulyaharja

Abstract

This activity aims to develop a sustainable community-based aquaculture system through participatory capacity building in Mulyaharja Village, a semi-urban agro-tourism area with an underdeveloped aquaculture sector. The implementation method applied the sustainable aquaculture system concept to establish a community-based aquaculture ecosystem using the Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach. The intervention engaged 116 participants, comprising elementary school students for nutritional awareness education, six farmer groups with no prior aquaculture experience for basic technical training, and active fish-farming groups. Qualitative data collected from observations and field notes were analyzed thematically. The results showed increased awareness and positive attitudes toward fish consumption among children, successful adoption of practical aquaculture skills by the novice farmer groups, and enhanced technical capability among active farmers in adopting alternative feed for cost efficiency. It is concluded that integrating education, farmer empowerment, and technical mentoring effectively establishes a socially inclusive, economically viable, and environmentally responsible aquaculture ecosystem as a model for strengthening food production and tourism in semi-urban areas.