TECHNOLOGY OF CULTIVATING CRAB WITH EGGS
PANGKEP — Indonesian Muslim University (UMI), has once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting improving the welfare of coastal communities through Community Service (PkM) activities.
A team of lecturers from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, UMI, carried out training on egg-laying crab cultivation in Tamangapa Village, Ma'rang District, Pangkajene Islands Regency, Sunday, August 31 2025
This activity was led directly by Dr. Muhammad Ikhsan Wamnebo, S.Pi., M.Si and Ir. Kamil Yusuf, M.Sc. The focus of the activity is to provide new skills to coastal communities, the majority of whom depend on the fisheries and pond cultivation sectors for their livelihood.
Team Leader, Dr. Muhammad Ikhsan Wamnebo explained that Tamangapa Village is inhabited by around 2,000 people, with 75 percent of the residents working as fishermen, shrimp and fish farmers, and seaweed cultivators.
However, in recent years, fisheries production has decreased due to ponds that are no longer optimal. This condition has an impact on decreasing people's income.
"We consider the fishery commodity diversification team to be an important step so that people do not only depend on the results of old ponds," he said.
One of the big opportunities is in the mud crab commodity (Scylla spp) which has a high selling value and stable market demand.
However, so far fishermen have only relied on natural catches of mangrove crabs.
The results are often small in size with low selling prices, especially since the distribution chain is controlled by collectors. This situation makes it difficult for fishermen to obtain maximum profits.
Seeing this problem, UMI presented a solution through training in egg-laying crab cultivation.
“Compared to meat crabs or soft crabs, egg-laying crabs have a selling pricehigher so that it has the potential to improve the welfare of pond farmers," he said
The one-day training taught basic breeding techniques,maintenance, to maintaining ponds for the production of egg-laying crabs.
The participants from Kalukue, Rappuala, Bawasalo and Pitue hamlets looked enthusiasticFollow all the material provided.
The Head of Tamangapa Village, H. Muhammad Ilyas, was also present at this activity. Heexpressed his gratitude to UMI for bringing innovation in line withcommunity needs.
"We hope that activities like this will not stop just once, but will continue"The community can be truly independent in developing fisheries businesses," he said.
The main issue of this activity is an effort to answer the challenge of declining pond productionin coastal areas through cultivation innovation.
With the presence of egg-laying crab cultivation training, the people of Tamangapa Village are nowhave new opportunities to increase productivity while improving conditionstheir economy.
