Lembata regency in East Nusa Tenggara is best known for its tradition of whale hunting.

The area actually has a lot more to offer, including the local cuisine of Lewolein village and economic opportunities that cover the production of shallots in Merdeka village and anchovies in Hadakewa village.

Realizing its potential, the local administration is trying to develop each village by focusing on the area’s strength, particularly the production of anchovies in Hadakewa village.

Lembata Vice Regent Thomas Ola Langoday told The Jakarta Post last month that Hadakewa was associated with world-class anchovies.

Production was started by village-owned enterprises in 2017.

As the largest producer of fish in the regency, the village offers seven types of anchovies, namely merang, peseng-peseng, siro, mao merah, mao putih, phada and gelle.

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Hadakewa is ready to export its anchovies. (JP/Hengky Ola Sura)

Each type is sold in various quantities, namely 100 grams, 250 g, 500 g and 1 kilogram, with prices starting at Rp 30,000 (US$2.12).

The anchovies are not only meant for local consumption, as they are currently available on Tokopedia. There has been interest from several countries, such as Timor Leste and China, to purchase the product.  

Hadakewa village head Klemens Kwaman said they were ready to export the anchovies.

Klemens shared that Hadakewa anchovies tasted unique, as they were crunchy and not too salty.

“It’s 100 percent preservatives-free,” he added.

Klemens said he found the anchovies production quite promising.

“Residents take part in producing high-quality anchovies, from drying and selecting to packing, and the local administration pays them,” he said. (jes/wng)