Indonesia treasured seaweed cultivating potentials covering and area of
1,110,900 hectares. The bio-plasma of seaweed of the world were found in
Indonesia. Among them glacilaria, gelidium, eucheuma, sargassum, and
turbinaria, the advantage of seaweed was that it could be harvested in 45 days.
Seaweed could even be cultivated all through the season in Indonesia. With
enormous seaweed resources and supportive climate, the role of scientific
researchers became very important in developing seaweed.
Seaweed as one of the main commodities in maritime industry and fishery
was in line with the blue economy concept, where the development of business
and investment of seaweed was most beneficial economically or environmentally
and accommodated broad employment opportunities. To support this program, the
ministry of maritime and fishery [KKP] had projected seaweed production output
at 7.5 million tons, an increase of 30% against output of the previous year at
5.2 million tons. Meanwhile for 2014, KKP set target for seaweed production at
10 million tons. To meet the target, down streaming process of the seaweed
industry was important as one of the strategic steps to increase added value of
this commodity.
Saut P. Hutagalung, Director General of Processing of fishery products
KKP stated in Jakarta on Monday [20/5] that the 21st international
seaweed symposium [ISS] in bali last April was a momentum of awakening for
seaweed industrialization in Indonesia. ISS was a strategic forum and
simultaneously a momentum for Indonesia to promote industrialization to step up
productivity, efficiency and added value of seaweed, through integration of the
upstream and downstream industries. “We feel sure that seaweed would bring
prosperity to the world’s community as a whole” Saut remarked.
The government, according to Saut, was certain that the management of
seaweed as commodity would elevate income of the of the coastal people. In
principle seaweed would increase people’s income as it was not destructive to
the environment; it was also efficient, enriched nature because it was a zero
waste product. Saut said that to develop seaweed was easy but highly
productive. The point was that this industry was without wastage, efficient by
cost and contributive to employment process.
Meanwhile in regard to the down streaming program of seaweed this year,
seaweed was beginning to attract investors through investment promotion which
would be exercised by four companies at the value of Rp165 billion. He
estimated that this investment plan would accommodate 643 employees. The
government also planned to increase production of processed seaweed for export.
So far, production of seaweed was only posted at 240,000 tons; some were exported
and some were consumed domestically.
About the development of seaweed cultivating industry, Saut was
expecting support of scientists and researchers; to constantly develop seaweed
business. According to Saut, scientist could play their roles in researching,
from the stage of seeding, seed nursery, cultivating, harvesting, and post
harvesting management, processing of seaweed, and formulation of derivative
products and end products. “We expect that all related parties be involved in
the seaweed development process” Saut called out. (SS)
Business News - May 24,2013
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