CRFSS Strengthens Climate Resilience for Shrimp Farmers in Lombok and Sumbawa Through Sustainable Aquaculture Technologies

Lombok and Sumbawa, April 2026 – Climate change is becoming an increasingly significant challenge for Indonesia’s aquaculture sector. Rising temperatures, fluctuating water quality, and increasing energy demands for pond operations highlight the need for more adaptive and sustainable solutions for fish and shrimp farmers.

To address these challenges, Crustea and su-re.co (Sustainability & Resilience) organized the Climate Resilience Farmers Field School (CRFSS), engaging more than 250 shrimp farmers and fisheries extension officers across four locations in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB): Jerowaru and Sambelia in East Lombok, as well as Utan and Empang in Sumbawa Regency.

Held throughout April 2026, the program represents an important step toward strengthening climate resilience in the shrimp farming sector through training, climate-smart technology demonstrations, market research, investment readiness initiatives, and the expansion of environmentally friendly aquaculture solutions.

Building Climate Resilience at the Farm Level

Delivered through a hybrid format combining in-person workshops and online sessions, CRFSS was designed to enhance farmers’ capacity to respond to increasingly complex climate-related risks.

Participants were introduced to climate-resilient aquaculture practices that promote greater efficiency, lower energy consumption, and improved environmental sustainability. The training also explored strategies for pond management that maintain productivity while minimizing environmental impacts.

As part of its climate resilience approach, the program focused not only on technical knowledge but also on helping farmers better understand investment opportunities, access to financing, and the adoption of technologies that can strengthen the long-term competitiveness of their aquaculture businesses.

Showcasing Climate-Smart Aquaculture Technologies

A key component of CRFSS was the demonstration of climate-smart aquaculture technologies developed by Crustea to support more efficient and lower-emission pond operations.

The technologies introduced included solar panels for pond energy supply, energy-efficient mini aerators, EBII IoT-based water quality monitoring sensors, and smart energy systems designed to improve operational monitoring and management.

One of the flagship innovations showcased during the program was Crustea’s solar-powered Eco-Aerator, integrated with an IoT-based water quality monitoring system. The technology is designed to help farmers reduce energy consumption while maintaining optimal pond conditions through real-time monitoring.

Within this partnership, Crustea leads technology development and demonstration activities, while su-re.co provides field facilitation, farmer capacity building, and climate resilience support tailored to local community needs.

Understanding Farmers’ Needs and Challenges

Climate resilience for shrimps farmers in Lombok

In addition to training and technology demonstrations, CRFSS also served as a platform for dialogue between shrimp farmers, fisheries extension officers, and technology providers.

Through a series of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), participants shared the challenges they face, including rising operational costs, the need for practical and affordable technologies, and limited access to financing for business transformation.

These discussions played an important role in identifying market needs, understanding technology adoption barriers, and assessing farmers’ willingness to invest in climate-smart aquaculture solutions.

Moving Toward Pilot Project Implementation

As a follow-up to the CRFSS program, Crustea and su-re.co will implement selected technologies at two pilot project sites—one in East Lombok and another in Sumbawa. The pilot installations are scheduled to begin in late May 2026.

These pilot sites will provide farmers with an opportunity to observe climate-smart technologies operating in real farming environments. In addition to serving as demonstration and outreach centers, the pilot projects will be used to evaluate the impact of the technologies on energy efficiency, water quality, operational costs, and overall farm productivity.

Accelerating the Transition to Sustainable Aquaculture

Through the integration of technological innovation, field-based support, and farmer capacity development, CRFSS contributes to the broader effort of transforming Indonesia’s aquaculture sector into one that is more resilient to climate change.

For su-re.co, climate resilience is not only about responding to environmental risks but also about ensuring that coastal communities have access to the knowledge, technologies, and economic opportunities necessary to sustain their livelihoods.

By combining climate-smart technologies with community-centered capacity building, the CRFSS program aims to serve as a model for sustainable aquaculture development—one that enhances productivity while strengthening the resilience of coastal communities in the face of future climate challenges. Readers interested in exploring more sustainability insights, climate resilience initiatives, and community-based innovation can visit su-re.co's Think platform.