Impactful Community Service Program: Students Promote Nutrition Awareness Through Gemarikan Socialization in Tanah Bumbu
TANAH BUMBU — Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), through Group 10 of the Thematic Community Service Program (KKN) from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK), held a socialization event for the Movement to Promote Fish Eating (Gemarikan) and stunting prevention at Cempaka Kindergarten, Pajala Village, on Tuesday (July 29, 2025). The event was attended by teachers, parents, and dozens of Cempaka Kindergarten children.
Themed “Gemarikan for a Great Indonesia: Healthy, Smart, Quality!”, the event aimed to raise public awareness, especially among parents, about the importance of consuming fish as a source of nutrient-rich animal protein. Fish is considered to play a significant role in supporting child growth and development while preventing stunting.
The head of the KKN group, Iqbal Prayoga Anggara, emphasized that parents play a crucial role in ensuring that children receive a balanced nutritional intake.
“Fish is not just a side dish, but a long-term investment for the health and intelligence of our children,” he said.
In the presentation session, Muhammad Guzali Andal, the person in charge of the Gemarikan program, explained the nutritional content of fish, such as Omega-3, protein, and vitamin D, which are crucial for brain and bone development in children. The KKN team also shared tips on preparing fish to make it more palatable to children.
Meanwhile, Nida Maulida emphasized that stunting is not only related to height, but also developmental delays caused by long-term malnutrition. She argued that providing fish protein from an early age is an effective preventative measure.
The event was further enlivened by the distribution of free fish dishes to all students and a prize draw for parents. Pajala Village residents welcomed this program and hoped that similar outreach programs could continue.
Through this activity, ULM demonstrated its commitment to supporting the development of healthy, intelligent, and high-quality human resources, while strengthening the role of higher education in empowering village communities.
