Aruna startup has covered over 190 locations and almost 50,000 fishermen in the form of hubs, whereby the fishermen make their transactions in fishing or fishpond villages.
Heaptalk, Jakarta — Indonesia’s fisheries startup, Aruna, reveals the vast opportunity of the blue economy in the country. In its experience as a startup in the marine sector, Aruna unveils several steps to gain substantial blue economy potential while advancing the effectiveness of the maritime industry in the archipelago.
As it is known, Indonesia‘s maritime industry possesses tremendous potential to grow and evolve. As a sophisticated sector, the maritime industry covers diverse activities, including shipping and logistics, fishing, and aquaculture. Based on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the industry also plays a crucial role in the world economy, contributing 5% of global GDP, approximately US$3 trillion annually.
Perceiving the nation’s tremendous potential, Aruna directly links small fishermen in the country and foreign importers through its application and official website to open up the potential of the blue economy and reach sustainable fisheries in the archipelago. The company also focuses on coverage numbers to ensure a consistent supply side to customers, both in the local and the global market, improve fishermen’s productivity, and provide sustainable ways.
During its journey, Aruna has covered over 190 locations and almost 50,000 fishermen in the form of hubs, whereby the fishermen make their transactions in fishing or fishpond villages. Product diversification is one of its ways to expand more commodities to the market, distribute and launch value-added products, and control market share in multiple commodities.
Indonesia’s fisheries sector is ranked the third largest producer globally. However, the export value has not been attained in the top ten. The Co-Founder and CEO of Aruna, Farid Naufal Aslam, observed a significant gap between production and optimization. Recognizing an underserved fisheries industry in the country, Farid claimed a small transformation is forecasted to generate economic value in this sector.
Regarding fisheries waste management in the country, this startup provides Aruna’s Hub at Bangkalan to process the crab meat and shells to be powder and processed to the fish feed, expecting to double the stocks in the industry.
As a global industry worldwide, Farid convinces the fisheries startup could reach a broad target market. Aruna’s CEO viewed profitability as an implication that will happen in this underserved sector because the efficiency value is increasing.
“The demand is enormous, and we do not burn money. Therefore, the maritime startups are believed to present great opportunity,” added Farid.
Strategic tips for the coming fisheries startups
Farid reveals several challenges ahead in marine-focused startups. He elaborated on the most significant challenges are human resources, including attracting and retaining skilled workers, addressing the aging workforce, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
The different cultures in various islands also become another challenge, impacting the complexity of approaching the community and general solutions at times. He suggests that the coming startup founders deliver different approaches in each region to resolve these obstacles, despite the exact resolution.
“The way we engage the community and preserve the environment are the most important things to ensure the community’s involvement in our program,” said Farid.
Additionally, most fisheries processes are still very traditional. Aruna discovers fishermen still dive without proper equipment and catch fish without appropriate fishing gear, impacting inefficiency. For this reason, Farid affirmed that startup practitioners in this sector are anticipated to educate and digitize small fishermen to enhance productivity.
On the other hand, infrastructure development is critical to back the maritime industry in navigating infrastructure, such as lighthouses, systems, GPS, and other technologies, due to the government gradually enhancing electricity and data network.
The maritime industry has vast potential to play its role in the global economy and society. Improving product efficiency requires a holistic approach that involves optimizing processes, reducing waste, and investing in training and development.
For the startup founders, Aruna’s CEO emphasized strengthening strategic collaboration with multiple stakeholders. The cooperation between the private sector and the public would also contribute to the maritime industry through funding provision, research and development support, investment in the infrastructure, capability development, and industry promotion.
