Plankton cultivation in the metropolis? On limited land? With small capital? Without laboratory facilities? Can you survive walking? Is it possible ?

Interest in the potential of fisheries has emerged when studying at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Affairs as new students. Starting from the Planktonology lecture in semester 1, at that time Mr. Soedarno as the person in charge of the Planktonology course explained about small creatures in water called plankton. That’s where Joan Reza just got to know the types of plankton and their benefits. Apparently his interest in the benefits of plankton, which he had not expected before, brought his desire to continue to hunt further about plankton. After finishing college, the lecturer chased him when he left the class to ask questions about how to get beneficial plankton from nature to be bred. Apparently, although he had not yet received a course on Natural Feed Cultivation, he had thought about how to isolate plankton, an attempt to separate the desired type of plankton from nature and culture it as pure isolates. Receiving a positive answer from the Lecturer, Joan Reza was even more interested in continuing to learn more about plankton culture independently.

In the 5th semester, Joan Reza devoted her knowledge about plankton in student scientific events by writing papers to be contested in the Student Creativity Program (PKM) under the title “Biofuel from Microalgae”, even though it was not finished because of the thought that the price of biofuels was certainly will be expensive because there are not many plankton farmers in Indonesia. His passion has grown to try to explore the root causes of plankton isolates by studying plankton culture even further, with the hope that if the plankton culture is already in the community, there must be many job opportunities that can be obtained by exploring the benefits of plankton for various human needs products. The curiosity to try plankton cultivation grew more and more after getting a Natural Feed Cultivation Course in the 5th semester.

In semester 7, in 2016, Joan Reza tried to start a phytoplankton business armed with the knowledge that had been obtained. The belief that there is a lot of potential for microalgae that can be explored, ignites its creativity to culture plankton at home, with makeshift equipment. Joan Reza’s principle is how to apply important points or standards to all-limiting conditions, creating what is available in the field so that plankton cultivation can be carried out. Positive responses came from the campus community as well as from other universities that needed pure isolates for research. From here, in 2017, Joan Reza built a plankton business called “Green Gold” inspired by how many valuable benefits of plankton. Green represents green (chlorophyll), the philosophy of trying to change simple things is very beneficial and Gold for Gold (valuable / high value), the philosophy of the high usefulness of plankton for human life. This business he built little by little with capital pocket money to buy business equipment. Bookshelves in his room were transformed into a shelf of plankton culture.

The products currently sold are not only pure plankton isolates, but also Joan Reza’s own plankton fertilizer, dried plankton, Spirulina masks, as well as various plankton cultivation facilities such as plankton filters, and so on. As a contemporary young man, to compare his business, Joan Reza created a Spirulinagreengold account to make it easier for people to know and follow the development of their products. Utilizing social media to inform its business with a wider range, more and more people are ordering their cultivated plankton isolates. Orders for shipments come from various communities in various regions. From scientific circles for research, bookings came from several universities in Java, Kalimantan and Sumatra. While practitioners such as ornamental fish, shrimp, birds and worm farmers in various regions also have many who need Joan Reza’s products. Plus, women, lecturers, students, and people who want healthy skin, use Spirulina masks. This positive response from the community has made the Green Gold business run from January 2017 to the present.

Reflecting on the foresight and enthusiasm of Joan Reza, we can learn that focus and sincerity are the key to finding opportunities. Confidence and continuity can realize opportunities into reality. Come on, who wants to follow in his spirit? Get ready to be not an average person !!!

Author

Endang Dewi Masithah
Department of Marine
Email: endang_dm@fpk.unair.ac.id