The Indonesian App That Can Grow More Fish

TL;DR

eFishery helps Indonesian fish farmers grow more fish by automating feeding with a cloud-connected feeder that senses fish appetite, improves feed efficiency, and can shorten harvest cycles. The service costs $10 per month, while farmers reported productivity and income gains of 40% to 200%. Its data also connects farmers with financing and buyers. Read on to see how technology and community support work together.

Transcript

We have 3.7 million farmers and more than 10 million fish farms all across Indonesia. The fish trading market is a $10 billion market already in Indonesia. The feed market is a $5 billion market but that's only Indonesia. But if we see on the global scale, the aquaculture is a hundred billion dollar market. My dream was to operate my own fish farms... Read More

Key Insights

• Indonesia's fish market is substantial, with 3.7 million farmers and over 10 million fish farms, contributing to a $10 billion trading market.
• Feed costs constitute 70% to 90% of total fish farming expenses, prompting the need for cost-effective solutions like automated feeding systems.
• eFishery's smart feeder, controlled via smartphone, optimizes feed efficiency and fish growth by sensing fish appetite and adjusting feed accordingly.
• Farmers using eFishery technology have seen productivity and income increases between 40% and 200%, showcasing the potential for significant economic impact.
• The technology not only improves farming practices but also enables data collection for credit scoring and connecting farmers to financial institutions and buyers.
• eFishery's success is driven by building a community and fostering relationships, emphasizing the importance of the human element in business.
• The company is expanding globally, with pilots in Vietnam and India, demonstrating the scalability of Indonesian innovations in the global aquaculture market.
• Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food sector, and eFishery is pioneering 'fish tech', aiming to play a significant role in this expanding industry.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does eFishery help farmers grow more fish?

eFishery provides an automatic feeder connected to the cloud and a sensor that detects fish appetite. It improves feed efficiency and fish growth, which can shorten harvest cycles.

Q: Why is feeding a major problem for Indonesian fish farmers?

Feed represents 70% to 90% of a fish farm’s total costs. Feeding is traditionally performed manually, so its quality depends on whether laborers feed the fish properly.

Q: How much does the eFishery feeder cost farmers?

Farmers pay $10 per month to use the technology. eFishery describes this price as affordable for the small-scale and older farmers it aims to support.

Q: What results have farmers achieved with eFishery?

Farmers using eFishery reported productivity and income increases ranging from 40% to 200%. Some grew from two ponds to 20 ponds and increased their productivity and income tenfold within one year.

Q: What data does eFishery collect from fish farms?

The technology captures information such as feed quantity, daily feeding frequency, feed brand, expected harvest volume, and the number of fish. eFishery uses these operational records to help increase farmers’ profits.

Q: How does eFishery help farmers obtain financing and find buyers?

eFishery uses farm data to build credit scores and connect farmers directly with financial institutions for financing. It also uses the data to connect farmers with downstream buyers.

Q: Why was community building important to eFishery’s adoption?

Many farmers had used traditional feeding methods for decades and did not initially understand why they needed the product. They ultimately valued the community, its sense of belonging, and its larger mission, teaching eFishery that human relationships matter alongside technology and metrics.

Q: Where is eFishery expanding outside Indonesia?

eFishery completed a pilot in Vietnam and is conducting a pilot in India. The company wants to show that solutions created by Indonesian innovators can play a significant role in the global aquaculture market.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• eFishery is transforming the Indonesian fish farming industry by introducing technology that automates feeding, thus reducing costs and increasing efficiency. The company leverages data to connect farmers with financial institutions and buyers, significantly boosting their productivity and income.

• The company's approach focuses on supporting small-scale farmers by providing affordable technology that enhances their operations. This has resulted in substantial economic benefits for farmers, with some increasing their income by tenfold after adopting eFishery's solutions.

• eFishery's success is attributed to its emphasis on community building and human relationships, which are essential for adopting new technologies in traditional industries. The company is also exploring international markets, aiming to establish a global presence in the aquaculture sector.