IFRDMD visits the Eel Farming Innovation in Indonesia

Jabbar Farm, located in Bogor, West Java, has become an eel farm and is now gaining international attention. Led by Mr. Helmy, an experienced aquaculture practitioner since 2012, the farm has made significant strides despite his modest background as a high school graduate. Over the past three years, Mr. Helmy has focused on eel farming and successfully developed Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology featuring a patented Rotary Drum Filter. With 100 farming tanks, each with a 1 kilogram of glass eel capacity, the farm boasts a survival rate of over 90%. In three months, glass eel can grow to 2-5 grams, with the primary production target being elver.
On November 11, 2024, SEAFDEC/IFRDMD visited the company, aiming to gain deeper insights into its technology and eel farming management. The owner informed us that Jabbar Farm faces challenges in sourcing local seed stock. The dominance of large companies in the past has hindered access for smaller farmers. At the same time, seeds from West Java, particularly the Anguilla bicolor species, have not been available for the past nine months. Seeds are sourced from central Sulawesi to meet the demand. Nevertheless, Jabbar Farm remains optimistic, continuously innovating to support the development of the national eel farming industry.