Empowering Smallholder Shrimp Farmers with Digital Traceability and Sustainable Aquaculture

This article is adapted from: 

• https://www.metrotvnews.com/read/NgxCD1dG-indonesia-bangun-masa-depan-akuakultur-berkelanjutan-lewat-petambak 

• https://m.antaranews.com/amp/berita/4982005/aquarev-bantu-petambak-kecil-tingkatkan-produksi-udang-berkelanjutan 

• https://momsmoney.kontan.co.id/news/aquarev-bangun-ekosistem-tambak-yang-ramah-lingkungan-1 

Indonesia’s shrimp industry plays a vital role in the global seafood supply, yet the majority of production still relies on traditional smallholder operations. These small-scale shrimp farmers often face systemic challenges, from limited access to capital and knowledge, to environmental degradation and a lack of traceability in their supply chains. As global markets increasingly demand sustainably produced and verifiable seafood, Indonesia finds itself at a turning point, one where technology and collaboration are key to building a more inclusive and environmentally responsible future for aquaculture. 

Photo credit: Aquarev

Recognizing this, Aquarev, a social enterprise dedicated to transforming shrimp aquaculture, is working directly with smallholder farmers in South Sumatra, Lampung, and other regions across Indonesia. Their goal is to modernize thousands of hectares of shrimp ponds, introducing more sustainable cultivation techniques while increasing productivity and long-term viability. They are committed to balancing economic empowerment with environmental responsibility, revitalizing degraded ponds, restoring mangrove ecosystems, and training farmers on better water quality and feeding practices. 

Aquarev is also advancing several sustainability-focused initiatives to deepen on-the-ground impact. These include the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification program to ensure environmentally and socially responsible farming practices, a Blue Carbon initiative that integrates mangrove conservation with aquaculture production, and a feasibility study on using solar energy at shrimp ponds to help reduce carbon emissions. 

 “We believe that the success of aquaculture is not only measured by harvest productivity. Real success is when farmers become independent, the environment is preserved, and aquaculture becomes a sustainable economic force for local communities,” said Retno Nuraini, Head of Partnerships at Aquarev. 

To ensure that these efforts are scalable and accountable, Aquarev partners with KOLTIVA. The Swiss-Indonesian company supports the initiative with an integrated digital ecosystem that brings traceability, fintech, and farm management tools directly into the hands of shrimp farmers. Through the KoltiTrace Management Information System (MIS), farmers are digitally profiled, their ponds geolocated, and their production data securely recorded, which enables them to create transparent supply chains that meet the growing demand for responsible sourcing. 

As part of the partnership, KOLTIVA provides digital field data collection and farm monitoring systems that support Aquarev’s operations across multiple provinces. KOLTIVA also equips farmers with a mobile app featuring multilingual AI-powered chatbot guidance, enabling real-time support for sustainable aquaculture practices. 

KOLTIVA also plays a critical role in enabling access to finance. By digitizing loan applications, disbursement, and repayments through the KoltiPay web portal, the company has built a closed-loop financing model that allows smallholders to obtain cluster-based working capital and repay it via their harvests. This reduces risks for financial institutions and offers farmers a more accessible and reliable way to fund their operations. KOLTIVA's digital dashboards provide stakeholders, including Aquarev, with complete visibility into repayment performance, farm productivity, and risk levels, helping streamline the decision-making process across the financing chain. 

The impact of this collaboration is already being felt on the ground. Farmers report higher yields, lower operational risks, and improved understanding of sustainable aquaculture practices. Meanwhile, lenders gain confidence through transparent repayment data and performance tracking, ultimately paving the way for broader financial inclusion in rural communities. 

By integrating digital solutions with field-based support, the Aquarev-KOLTIVA partnership offers a replicable model for sustainable aquaculture. It connects smallholder farmers to the tools and financing they need, while promoting environmentally responsible practices that benefit both people and planet. As global demand for traceable and climate-friendly seafood rises, Indonesia’s shrimp sector is showing that with the proper support, transformation is not only possible but it’s already underway.