Central Lombok, NTB (ANTARA) – The Indonesian government is targeting an increase in the farmer-fisherman exchange rate (NTN) from 103 to 120 by 2026.Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan said that most fishermen are currently poorer than farmers or livestock breeders.”It is fishermen who are suffering the most, with the exchange rate at 103, while rice farmers are already at 131. It is a far cry, and the poorest are fishermen,” he conveyed during his visit to the development of the Red and White Fishermen's Village (KNMP) in Kelongkong Hamlet, Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) on Friday (July 31).He explained that such an unfavorable situation for fishermen occurs in NTB, including at the two locations he visited: the Ekas Buana Fishermen's Village in East Lombok and the Bilelando Fishermen's Village, Central Lombok.As part of efforts to achieve the NTN target, Hasan said the government is building the Red and White Fishermen's Village in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), equipped with integrated facilities including cold storage shelters, a portable ice plant, a portable frozen warehouse, fish marketing kiosks, supply stores, a management office, a training center, and a dedicated fuel station for fishermen.These complete facilities are expected to assist fishermen in obtaining better prices for their catch and reducing operational costs. Furthermore, fishermen can preserve their catch when prices drop, he continued.In addition, Hasan said the fishermen village will be connected to a network of cooperatives throughout Indonesia, allowing easier marketing for fresh catch.According to him, the government is currently focusing various programs to improve community welfare in the food sector.With the agricultural sector showing improvement, the government is now turning its attention to fishermen, as these programs are ultimately aimed at improving people's welfare.”Rice farmers and livestock farmers are doing well. Now we need to focus on fishermen,” Hasan noted.He expressed optimism that the government's target of increasing the fishermen NTN to 120 could be achieved soon, with the fishermen fuel station expected to be completed by September.