CRFSS with Crustea Strengthens Climate Resilience for Shrimp Farmers in Lombok and Sumbawa

In April 2026, at least 250 shrimp farmers and fisheries extension officers across West Nusa Tenggara participated in the Climate Resilience Farmers Field School (CRFSS), a collaborative program between su-re.co and Crustea. The program aims to strengthen climate resilience in Indonesia’s shrimp aquaculture sector through capacity building, climate-smart technology demonstrations, market research, and preparation for future investment and technology adoption.

As climate change continues to affect coastal communities and aquaculture systems, programs like CRFSS are becoming increasingly important. Shrimp farmers are facing growing challenges related to water quality, energy costs, temperature changes, disease risks, and operational efficiency. Through this program, Crustea and su-re.co are working together to introduce practical, climate-smart solutions that can help farmers build more resilient and sustainable aquaculture practices.

The CRFSS activities were conducted in four locations: Jerowaru and Sambelia in East Lombok, and Utan and Empang in Sumbawa. The training was held in a hybrid format, combining in-person field sessions with online discussions through Zoom. Each session took place from 09:00 to 12:00 WITA.

Building Climate Resilience in Shrimp Aquaculture

The aquaculture sector is highly sensitive to climate-related risks. Changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, and water conditions can directly affect pond productivity and shrimp health. For smallholder shrimp farmers, these challenges can increase production costs and reduce income stability.

The CRFSS program was designed to respond to these challenges by improving farmers’ understanding of climate-resilient aquaculture. Participants were introduced to more adaptive, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly pond management practices.

The training focused on strengthening practical knowledge and skills in sustainable pond management. Farmers and fisheries extension officers discussed how climate-smart approaches can support better water quality, reduce energy dependency, and improve long-term farm productivity.

Beyond technical training, the program also aimed to support:

• Investment readiness for sustainable aquaculture technologies

• Introduction of climate-smart technology interventions

• Market research on financing needs and technology adoption

• Expansion of sustainable aquaculture technology markets

• Stronger collaboration between farmers, technology providers, and local support institutions

By combining education, technology demonstration, and field-level engagement, CRFSS provides a foundation for accelerating the transition toward more climate-resilient shrimp farming in Indonesia.

Demonstrating Climate-Smart Aquaculture Technology

One of the main highlights of the CRFSS activities was the demonstration of climate-smart technology developed by Crustea. These technologies are designed to help shrimp farmers improve energy efficiency and strengthen water quality management in aquaculture ponds.

The technologies introduced during the program included:

• Solar panels for pond operations

• Energy-efficient mini aerators

• EBII IoT-based water quality sensors

• Smart energy systems for more efficient and low-emission pond management

Crustea introduced its solar-powered Eco-Aerator, integrated with an IoT-based water quality monitoring system. This technology allows farmers to monitor pond conditions more efficiently and make better decisions based on real-time environmental data.

For shrimp farmers, water quality is one of the most important factors in maintaining healthy production. By using sensor-based monitoring and energy-efficient aeration, farmers can better manage pond oxygen levels, reduce unnecessary energy use, and improve operational efficiency.

In this partnership, Crustea provides climate-smart aquaculture technology, while su-re.co supports farmer engagement, field facilitation, and institutional capacity building. This collaboration reflects a shared understanding that successful technology adoption requires more than equipment. It also requires trust, training, local participation, and continuous support for farmers.

The CRFSS sessions also served as a focus group discussion (FGD) to better understand farmers’ needs. The discussions explored farmers’ perspectives on technology adoption, access to financing, operational challenges, and willingness to pay for climate-smart aquaculture solutions.

These insights will help shape future implementation strategies and ensure that the technology introduced is relevant, affordable, and practical for shrimp farmers in the field.

Preparing Pilot Projects in East Lombok and Sumbawa

As a follow-up to the CRFSS activities, selected technologies will be implemented in two pilot project locations: one in East Lombok and one in Sumbawa. The pilot implementation is scheduled for the end of May 2026.

These pilot projects will bring Crustea’s technology directly to the field, allowing farmers to observe how climate-smart aquaculture tools work in real pond operations. The pilots will also act as demonstration sites for market outreach, learning, and impact evaluation.

Through these pilot locations, farmers will be able to see the practical benefits of solar-powered aeration, IoT-based water monitoring, and smart energy systems. The implementation will also help assess how the technology contributes to energy efficiency, operational performance, and pond productivity.

The pilot projects are expected to become an important step toward wider adoption of sustainable aquaculture technology in West Nusa Tenggara and beyond.

Advancing Sustainable Aquaculture Through Collaboration

The partnership between Crustea and su-re.co through the CRFSS program highlights the importance of collaboration in addressing climate challenges in the aquaculture sector. Climate change is a complex issue, and supporting farmers requires an integrated approach that combines technology, training, financing, and local institutional support.

By involving shrimp farmers and fisheries extension officers directly, the program ensures that climate-smart solutions are developed and introduced based on real needs in the field. This participatory approach is essential for increasing adoption and creating long-term impact.

CRFSS also supports a broader vision for sustainable aquaculture in Indonesia. By promoting energy-efficient technology, low-emission operations, and better pond management practices, the program contributes to a more resilient and environmentally responsible aquaculture sector.

For coastal communities, this kind of support can help protect livelihoods, reduce climate-related risks, and create new opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

Toward a More Climate-Resilient Future for Shrimp Farmers

The CRFSS program with Crustea marks an important step in strengthening climate resilience among shrimp farmers in Lombok and Sumbawa. Through training, technology demonstration, market research, and pilot project preparation, the program supports farmers in moving toward more efficient, adaptive, and sustainable aquaculture practices.

As climate risks continue to affect coastal and aquaculture communities, solutions that combine local knowledge with climate-smart technology will become increasingly important. The collaboration between Crustea and su-re.co shows how innovation and field-based support can work together to create practical solutions for farmers.

By supporting climate-resilient aquaculture, su-re.co continues to contribute to a more sustainable future for communities, ecosystems, and local economies in Indonesia.

Work with su-re.co to Build Climate-Resilient Communities

su-re.co partners with communities, technology providers, businesses, and development organizations to design and implement practical climate solutions. From sustainable agriculture and aquaculture to clean energy and climate resilience programs, su-re.co works to create measurable impact at the community level.

Interested in building climate-resilient solutions with us? Collaborate with su-re.co to support sustainable aquaculture, empower local communities, and accelerate climate action in Indonesia and beyond.