Recently in Kokonao, The Papua Agriculture Development Alliance (PADA) installed two new 60 KVA generator sets to supply power to the ice factory and the cool storage facility. This is an important addition to the Kokonao fishery program because the generators provide enough power, require less maintenance, and are more fuel efficient than the previous equipment. The diesel fuel for the ice factory is still being subsidized by PT. Freeport Indonesia as part of their inkind contribution to the PADA project. The fuel subsidy will be available until the end of the project in September 2009. The Maria Bintang Laut Cooperative continues to work with PADA consultants to determine appropriate prices for services in an effort to become completely sustainable.

The ice factory and cool storage facility continue to serve its function and give the Cooperative advantages over traders. Before the ice factory and cool storage was built Bugis traders purchased fish from native fishermen at a very low and unfair price. At the initiation of the Cooperative fish purchasing the price level for raw Barramundi from Bugis traders was Rp5,000 - 6,000 per kg. However, Maria Bintang Laut Cooperative was able to pay Rp8,000 per kg for Barramundi and Rp5,000 per kg for mixed fish. The traders have no other choice but to purchase fish at the new price level to retain their supply and remain in the seafood business. Consequently, the ice factory and cool storage facility enable the Cooperative to assist fishermen in receiving a fair price; Kokonao fishermen now receive approximately Rp2,500 (50%) more money for their catch.

ICE FACTORY INCREASES INCOME FOR FISHERMEN [pdf, 102 KB]