INDONESIA TO BOOST SEAWEED PRODUCTION IN 2013 by Fardah

     Jakarta, Jan 7, 2013 (ANTARA) - Indonesia, a major producer of seaweed (Eucheuma cottonii and Gracillaria) has set a seaweed production target of seven million tons this year, or an increase of two tons from last year's seaweed production.

         The country is also encouraging seaweed farmers to process their production to add value to their products, and thus it will increase the products' prices and later improve the farmers' welfare.

         The government hopes that the added value of seaweed will reach Rp550 billion, with a production value of Rp1,06,94 billion, said Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sharif C Sutardjo said.

        "We are targeting (seaweed production) of seven million tons next year,"  the minister said in Jambiran, Bali, in December 2012, after inspecting potential seaweed crops along the Pandawa coast in Badung.

          The ministry is keen on developing seaweed cultivation because seaweed farming activities can create jobs for 650,000 people by 2014.

         Intensive farming of seaweed is expected to create jobs for 650,188 people by 2014, the minister stated.

         The ministry plans to produce 1.2 million tonnes of seaweed on 19,703 hectares of farmlands and generate 118,000 tonnes of  raw materials.

         "By 2014, production of seaweed is expected to increase to meet  industries' demands for raw materials, which are expected to reach 118,000 tons," he said.

          Indonesia, a maritime country having the world`s second longest coastal line, has very big potential in the production of seaweed.

         Seaweed is in very high demand in the international markets, especially as a raw material for the production of food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Seaweed is also good fertilizer and is currently under consideration as a potential source of bioethanol.

          Besides, seaweed is also seen as a commodity that is suitable for the implementation of the blue economy concept, which looks into the sustainable development of Indonesia's maritime sector.

         "Seaweed has many benefits; it provides jobs for people living in coastal  regions, and it is present in many cuisines. Seaweed is also used in medicines, cosmetics and liquid fertilizers. Therefore, seaweed is a commodity that can develop the blue economy concept in Indonesia," said the Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Seaweed Businessmen (ARLI), Safari Azis, recently.

         The association is working closely with the Bali Seaweed Farmers Group to increase seaweed cultivation in Kutuh village, Badung, Bali.

         In addition, people are working hard to improve the quality of seaweed and to increase business opportunities, he said.

          Most of Bali's revenue comes from the tourism sector, but many of the residents in Bali, who live in coastal regions, get their income from seaweed cultivation.

          Azis is keen on developing a fishery ecotourism that promotes seaweed farming. He believes that seaweed farms can become tourist spots.

         He has urged the ministry of tourism and creative economy to integrate seaweed farming activities.

         Indonesia is striving to produce 10 million tons of seaweed per by 2015, making it the number one producing country, replacing the Philippines.

         The then maritime affairs and fisheries minister, Fadel Muhammad, had expressed his optimism that in the next two years the target might partly be achieved especially in view of the vast seaweed cultivating grounds in Indonesia`s eastern parts, like East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Maluku, and North Maluku.

         Petrus Rani Pong, a researcher from the Mamuju fishery and brackish water cultivation research center in South Sulawesi
Province, one of the country`s biggest seaweed producers, said in June 2010 that with the support of innovative technology,
Indonesia would be able to achieve the 10 million tons target by 2014.

        Besides, the government has facilitated the expansion of seaweed cultivation areas from 2.1 million hectares into 2.6 million hectares in 2010, he said.

       Of seven seaweed species being cultivated in Indonesia, the majority is Kappaphycus species, which is considered good quality.

       Seaweed International Business Forum and Exhibition IV was organized in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara Province, on October 22-24, 2012. The conference was attended by participants from Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, France and Chile. And Bali Island will host the 21st International Seaweed Symposium (ISS) in 2013. ***2***
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