Cara Hasilkan Puluhan Juta Dari Budidaya Lobster Air Tawar

Summary

Fendy Purnomo, the owner of Fendi Farm in Surakarta, Indonesia, specializes in lobster farming, focusing on the extraction of gastrolid, a calcium deposit used in pharmaceuticals. His journey began in the early 2010s, driven by an interest in aquaculture and a desire to continue his family’s business. The gastrolid, which forms when lobsters molt, is valuable in treating nerve diseases. Fendy’s farm thrives on discipline, efficient breeding, and specialized care, with a strong emphasis on exporting gastrolid to international markets. His success is attributed to hard work, adaptability, and the strategic use of social media to expand his global reach.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fendy Purnomo is the owner of Lobster Airtawar Surakarta (Fendi Farm), which specializes in lobster aquaculture.
• 😀 Lobsters are economically stable, with their market having grown steadily since the early 2000s, with prices rising as high as R million per half kilo in 2024.
• 😀 One of the main products from lobster farming is gastrolid, a calcium deposit near the lobster's brain, used in pharmaceutical research.
• 😀 Gastrolid is especially valuable in research related to neurodegenerative diseases, with ongoing studies in the southern and eastern U.S. and potentially expanding to the northern U.S. and other countries.
• 😀 The gastrolid is only present in lobsters when they molt, making it rare and contributing to its high price, with a single lobster producing 5-10 grams of gastrolid.
• 😀 The farming process begins by pairing male and female lobsters in a controlled environment, where they will eventually mate and produce eggs.
• 😀 After hatching, the baby lobsters are raised in separate tanks until they mature, usually taking about 6 to 7 months for them to be ready for harvest.
• 😀 Lobsters require specific water conditions (clean, odorless, with a pH of 7-9 and a TDS of less than 300 mg), and their habitat must be well-maintained with proper flooring and roofing.
• 😀 Lobsters thrive on a balanced diet, including protein for growth, fiber for molting, and multivitamins to avoid diseases. Specialized pellets are preferred to reduce cannibalism.
• 😀 The farm operates a closed system to prevent diseases, and the lobsters' ability to adapt to local environments makes them suitable for various climates, especially in extreme conditions.
• 😀 Fendy uses social media platforms like Instagram to market and showcase their products, with a focus on international markets including the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Japan, and China.
• 😀 Success in lobster farming requires discipline, hard work, and passion, with Fendy emphasizing the importance of pursuing the work either by choice or through necessity.

Q & A

What inspired Fendy Purnomo to start lobster farming?

Fendy Purnomo was inspired to start lobster farming after his college graduation in 2010. He had a strong interest in aquaculture, particularly in the farming of lobsters, and decided to pursue this field while also continuing his family's other business ventures.

What is gastrolid, and why is it important in lobster farming?

Gastrolid is a calcium deposit formed in lobsters when they molt. It is important because it is used in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the treatment of degenerative nerve diseases. The gastrolid is harvested during the molting process when it is most abundant.

How does the molting process relate to the production of gastrolid?

When a lobster grows, its shell becomes too small, leading to molting. During this time, a hormone called ecdysis helps the lobster absorb calcium from its old shell. This calcium is stored in deposits near the lobster's brain, which are known as gastrolid, and these are harvested for use in pharmaceuticals.

Why is the harvesting of gastrolid considered difficult and costly?

Harvesting gastrolid is challenging because it only forms during the lobster’s molting process. This means it can only be harvested at specific times, making it rare and difficult to obtain. The process of extracting the gastrolid is also time-sensitive, contributing to its high cost.

What markets does Fendi Farm primarily serve today?

Fendi Farm primarily serves the pharmaceutical market, exporting gastrolid to countries like the United States, the Middle East, Canada, Japan, and China. In the past, the farm also supplied restaurants and seafood markets, but now the focus has shifted to pharmaceutical research.

How has social media helped Fendi Farm expand its business?

Social media has played a significant role in expanding Fendi Farm's business by allowing them to connect with international customers. By sharing photos and videos online, Fendy attracted customers who were specifically looking for gastrolid for pharmaceutical use, leading to global partnerships.

What are the key considerations when setting up a lobster farm?

The key considerations when setting up a lobster farm include having adequate space for the lobsters, ensuring clean, clear, and odor-free water, and providing proper facilities such as walls, floors, and roofs to protect the lobsters. Proper water conditions such as pH and temperature are also essential for successful farming.

What are the advantages of using a closed farming system for lobsters?

A closed farming system helps prevent diseases and ensures that only healthy lobsters are present in the farm. By minimizing external contamination, the system protects the lobsters from unusual diseases, which could otherwise affect production and quality.

What challenges do lobster farmers face when it comes to lobster cannibalism?

Lobster cannibalism can be a problem in farming because lobsters tend to eat each other, especially when stressed. To prevent this, Fendi Farm uses specially formulated pellets to provide balanced nutrition and reduce the chances of lobsters becoming cannibalistic.

What is the significance of maintaining a balanced diet for lobsters?

Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for lobster growth and health. Lobsters need protein for growth, fiber for molting, and vitamins to prevent diseases. A balanced diet ensures that lobsters grow properly, molt efficiently, and remain healthy, leading to higher yields and better-quality products.