Modern Tilapia Farming Success Strategy: Navigating the Path to Global Export
The entrepreneurial journey is rarely a straight line; it is a cycle of peaks and valleys, a constant test of resilience and adaptability. For Ahmad Syihab Udin, the founder and owner of Kilang Tilapia in Kediri Regency, East Java, this cycle led him from the heights of a successful poultry business to an unexpected but brilliant resurgence in the aquaculture sector. His story is a masterclass in Indonesian entrepreneurial grit—the ability to pivot when disaster strikes and to spot untapped potential in the midst of a storm.
From Poultry Collapse to Aquaculture Innovation
To understand the success of Kilang Tilapia, one must first understand the foundation upon which it was built. As shared on the popular entrepreneurial YouTube channel PecahTelur, Ahmad Syihab Udin’s career began in 2003. He spent years in the sales and marketing divisions of the poultry industry, gaining a "boots-on-the-ground" education in supply chains, market dynamics, and customer psychology.
By 2010, Pak Ahmad felt ready to venture out on his own. He established a layer chicken farm (peternakan ayam petelur) that saw steady growth. Ever the innovator, by 2015, he began experimenting with integrated farming systems—specifically, building chicken coops over catfish ponds (a simplified version of silvofishery or minapadi). This move showcased his early vision for maximizing land productivity and creating integrated agricultural ecosystems.
The COVID-19 Storm: A Total Reset
Success, however, met an abrupt halt when the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe in 2019-2020. At its peak, Pak Ahmad’s poultry business was a massive operation, serving nearly 250 regular customers. The lockdowns and the subsequent collapse of the logistics chain hit him hard.
"Our feed turnover and chicken population didn't just decrease—it vanished," Pak Syihab recalls. "Almost all of us in our business group who were hit by the Corona storm were unable to survive."
The bankruptcy was total. To restart the poultry business at its previous scale (approximately 9,000 birds), he estimated a capital requirement of at least $\text{Rp}1.8\text{ billion}$. Facing such a high barrier to re-entry, Pak Syihab made a strategic decision: he would not chase the "watermelon" (high-capital poultry) but would instead look for a "smaller fruit" that offered a similar or higher growth potential. This led him to Modern Tilapia Farming.
Why Tilapia? The Economic Logic of the Pivot
The shift to tilapia was not a random choice; it was a calculated move based on capital efficiency and market demand. Pak Syihab compared the barrier to entry between his old life and his new vision:
- Poultry Restart Cost: $\approx \text{Rp}1.8\text{ billion}$.
- Modern Tilapia Start-up Cost: $\approx \text{Rp}300\text{ million}$ (for high-quality 500-micron HDPE round ponds).
"For starting Kilang Tilapia with 500-micron HDPE round ponds, around $\text{Rp}300\text{ million}$ is enough. It is considered a 'cheap' business entry relative to the potential returns," he explained.
Scaling the Kilang Tilapia Model
Starting with just four round ponds, Pak Syihab’s commitment turned a small pilot project into a thriving enterprise. Today, Kilang Tilapia operates 36 fully functional round ponds, with an ambitious roadmap to reach 1,000 ponds.
The Production Metrics:
• Pond Specification: 4-meter diameter round ponds.
• Stocking Density: 100 fish per cubic meter ($\approx 1,200$ fish per pond).
• Harvest Target: 200 to 250 kilograms of fish per pond per cycle.
The Technical Blueprint: Intensive Aeration Strategy
One of the most significant misconceptions Pak Syihab addresses is the difference between his system and the popular "Biofloc" method. While many assume any round pond is a biofloc system, Kilang Tilapia utilizes Intensive Aeration.
1. Moving Beyond Biofloc
Biofloc relies on a delicate balance of bacteria to manage waste. Pak Syihab found this too risky for his large-scale ambitions. Instead, he focuses on pure water quality management through high-performance aeration tools like Super Chest systems and Root Blowers. This ensures that Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels remain consistently high, which is the primary driver of fish appetite and growth.
2. The Three Pillars of Growth
Pak Syihab’s philosophy for a successful harvest rests on three technical variables:
Variable Target / Standard Impact on Fish
Oxygen (DO) Ideal level $> 5$ High oxygen ensures the fish remain active and hungry.
pH Balance Stable between $6.5 - 7.2$ Prevents stress; maintained through specialized minerals.
Premium Feed Minimum $26\% - 28\%$ Protein Ensures thick meat density and rapid weight gain.
3. The Efficient Harvest Cycle
By maintaining these variables, Kilang Tilapia achieves a remarkably fast turnaround:
1. Seed Selection: Starting with "Gelondong" size (1 kg contains $\approx 80$ fish).
2. Feeding Regime: High-protein factory feed (minimum 26%).
3. The Result: Fish reach a size of 4 fish per kg (ready for harvest) within just 2.5 months.
From Pond to Plate: Product Innovation and Export
Pak Syihab realized early on that selling "live fish" in traditional markets limits a business's growth. To penetrate the global stage, he moved into Value-Added Processing.
The "No-Guts, No-Gills" Strategy
Kilang Tilapia’s flagship product is Frozen Tilapia, specifically designed for modern consumers and export standards. The product features:
• No Scales, No Guts, No Gills: Ready-to-cook (RTC) format.
• Marinated & Non-Marinated Options: Catering to different culinary needs.
• Hygienic Packaging: Ensuring shelf life and quality for international shipping.
Tapping into the Global Market
The export potential for Tilapia is staggering. Pak Syihab points to two massive opportunities:
• The Hajj and Umrah Market: Saudi Arabia requires an estimated 30 million tons of fish to cater to pilgrims. Tilapia is a preferred protein due to its neutral flavor and firm texture.
• The US Market: American consumers are some of the largest importers of tilapia fillets globally.
While tilapia is often seen as a "common" fish in Indonesia, Pak Syihab has reframed it as a high-value global commodity.
Tilapia Academy: Building a Sustainable Ecosystem
A unique aspect of Kilang Tilapia is Pak Syihab’s role as a "thought partner" for the industry. He founded the Tilapia Academy, a comprehensive training program for aspiring aquaculture entrepreneurs.
The academy isn't just a basic workshop. It bridges the gap between practice and science by involving:
• Industry Practitioners: For real-world operational insights.
• Feed Factory Experts: To understand nutritional science.
• University Professors: To provide the latest academic research and technological updates.
This initiative ensures that the growth of the aquaculture sector in Indonesia is supported by a knowledgeable community rather than isolated farmers working in the dark.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Philosophy and Ethics
The success of Kilang Tilapia is as much about Pak Syihab’s mindset as it is about his technical skills. He operates on three core principles that guide his business:
1. The "End Times" Business: 100% Halal
Pak Syihab chose fish because of its inherent purity in Islamic law.
"Fish is 100% halal by nature. Even without ritual slaughter, it is permissible to consume. This gives me peace of mind in my business," he explains.
This ethical clarity allows him to focus entirely on quality and service without moral ambiguity.
2. "Problems are a Blessing"
In Pak Syihab’s view, the definition of living is the act of solving problems. He believes that the moment you stop having problems is the moment you stop growing.
"You cannot finish one problem and expect there to be no others. Life is simply moving from solving one problem to the next."
He warns against the "Alasan" (Excuse) trap. In his words, if an entrepreneur spends more time making excuses than finding solutions, success will remain out of reach.
3. The Power of Zakat
Pak Syihab is a firm believer in the "2.5% Zakat" principle. He views this not as a loss of income, but as a "purifier" of wealth and a catalyst for "Barakah" (blessing). For him, the ultimate goal of being an entrepreneur is to be useful to others—creating jobs, sharing knowledge, and contributing to social well-being.
Conclusion: A New Era for Indonesian Aquaculture
The story of Ahmad Syihab Udin and Kilang Tilapia is a powerful narrative of resilience. From the ashes of a bankrupt poultry farm, he built a modern, tech-driven, and export-ready aquaculture powerhouse.
By focusing on water quality (oxygen and pH), premium nutrition, and innovative processing (Frozen No-Guts Tilapia), Kilang Tilapia has set a new benchmark for what is possible in Indonesian freshwater fisheries. With a vision for 1,000 ponds and the educational reach of the Tilapia Academy, Pak Syihab is not just building a company—he is building an industry.
Join the Conversation
We invite you, as fellow entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts, to reflect on Pak Syihab’s journey and apply these insights to your own path:
1. On Business Adaptation: Pak Syihab successfully pivoted from poultry to aquaculture. What is the biggest mental or financial barrier preventing you from pivoting or starting your own venture in the modern aquaculture sector?
2. On Product Innovation: "Frozen No-Guts Tilapia" targets the export market. What other value-added innovations do you think could make Indonesian tilapia even more competitive on the global stage?
3. On Core Values: Pak Syihab emphasizes "no excuses" and the importance of social impact (Zakat). How do you integrate these non-financial values into your daily business operations?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s learn and grow together!
Source : Ch.ytb. PecahTelur : Budidaya Ikan Akhir Zaman: Rahasia Sukses Dari Nol Hingga 56 Kolam!