Kalirejo, Pekalongan (21/07/2023) – Indonesia has the highest fish production in ASEAN. Unfortunately, this is not shown by the level of fish consumption, especially among children. In 2004, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries issued a program, namely GEMARIKAN (Gerakan Memasyarakatkan Makan Ikan). However, there are still many people who do not know about it. Therefore, a contribution is needed between the community and the government in campaigning the importance of early fish consumption for health.
Fish is one of the food sources that is high in nutrients. The nutrients include high protein, omega 3, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. The nutrients contained in fish are beneficial for protecting eyesight, preventing senile dementia, and improving intelligence. Not only that, fish is more affordable than other animal protein sources. Therefore, fish is highly recommended to be consumed from an early age.
Students of Team II KKN Diponegoro University 2023 held a counseling on GEMARIKAN as an Early Nutrition Needs Improvement which took place at SDN 1 Kalirejo on Friday, July 21, 2023. This activity lasted for 1 hour and was attended by 47 students consisting of 4th and 5th grades.
This activity was carried out by delivering several materials, including the meaning of GEMARIKAN, nutritional content in fish, the benefits of eating fish, reasons for choosing fish, types of fish that can be consumed and examples of processed fish products. During the activity, students of SDN 1 Kalirejo looked enthusiastic in listening and actively participated in answering the questions that had been given. In addition to the delivery of material, it is also interspersed with fun games and the provision of processed fish products, namely otak-otak.
KKN Diponegoro University students also handed over and attached posters about GEMARIKAN in the school’s information board. This activity is expected to motivate students to consume fish regularly and advance the fisheries sector.
