Transfer teknologi akuaponik sebagai alternatif diversifikasi usaha budidaya perairan bagi masyarakat pesisir di Kecamatan Tatapaan, Minahasa Selatan

Abstract

Coastal communities generally depend on the fisheries sector as their primary source of livelihood. The dependency on a single type of business makes them highly vulnerable to environmental changes, seasonal changes, and market fluctuations. Therefore, business diversification is needed to enhance the long-term economic resilience of coastal communities. This Community Partnership Program aimed to improve community knowledge regarding the development of aquatic resource potential and to enhance partners’ understanding of fish farming business development through the transfer of aquaponics technology. The program was implemented with the Inti Murni Partner Group in Tatapaan District, South Minahasa Regency, through counseling, training, field practice, and mentoring activities. The training materials included basic concepts of aquaponics, selection of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings, water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) cultivation, construction of simple aquaponics systems, water quality management, and household-scale aquaculture business management. Evaluation was conducted through observations, interviews, and questionnaires to assess participants’ initial knowledge, satisfaction, and level of participation. The results showed that 33.33% of participants had prior knowledge of aquaponics technology, 33.33% had only heard about it, and 33.33% had no prior knowledge of the technology. Participant satisfaction reached 83.33% in the “very satisfied” category, while participation reached 75% in the “very good” category. The program successfully improved community knowledge regarding the utilization of aquatic resources through integrated farming systems and enhanced partners’ understanding of aquaponics-based fish farming business development. Aquaponics technology has strong potential as an alternative business diversification strategy that can support food security and increase the income of coastal communities.

Keywords: aquaponics, business diversification, fish farming, coastal communities, technology transfer.