Socio economic assessment of brackish water aquaculture business in Aceh Tamiang Regency

Abstract

Brackish water aquaculture is an essential business in Aceh Tamiang Regency. Data and information about the brackish water business collected from selected villages in four regencies from April until August 2020. In 2019, the brackish water farmers run their business 91.1% as the traditional type of aquaculture, 2.0% as semi-intensive, and 6.9% as intensive practices. The traditional brackish water farm is depending on “toke” as the source of funding. Meanwhile, the last two types of businesses grew with rent and sharing system. The brackish water activities only give limited benefits to the local community because they highly depend on other regions for seed, feed, pesticides, and labor, and the local institution supports the brackish water business not yet created. This research recommends: the village’s government should develop and implement the regulation for the involvement of local people in business activities; the brackish water institution should be created in the location especially for water management, control water pollution, and sources of various information regarding brackish water business. The Village Business Agency (Badan Usaha Milik Gampong) should improve its capabilities and play a role in the village’s brackish water business.