Gede Hendra, carrying seaweed harvested during the Covid-19 pandemic in Nusa Lembongan, Bali, September 25, 2020. He lost his job last April due to the pandemic. Credit: REUTERS/Nyimas Laula
Tempo.co reports that, in Indonesia, the Marine and Fisheries Affairs Ministry has planned to establish seaweed farming villages in the eastern regions of the country as part of their efforts to develop what they consider the top commodity in the fisheries sub-sector.
“The government will develop seaweed villages starting next year in Southeast Maluku and East Sumba,” the ministry’s Director General of Fish Farming Tb, Haeru Rahayu, said in a recent statement.
The development of the new seaweed farming will not negatively affect the existing farms. In fact, the government will connect them with private companies and funding institutions for further development, Mr. Rahayu said. According to him two of the three breakthrough programs of the Ministry to boost development in the marine and fisheries industry in Indonesia are centered in the fish farming sub-sector.
The programs are the development of fish farming for export, supported by marine and fisheries research, as well as the development of local wisdom-based fish farming villages. “Seaweed has a bright prospect, but it needs a holistic approach to all stakeholders including the government, academicians, business operators, media and the public,” he said.
The Ministry is targeting an increase in seaweed production from 9.78 million tons in 2019 to 12.3 million tons in 2024. To reach the target, they have designed a working plan to increase productivity and open new seaweed farming. “In addition, strategy, supply, and the distribution system of seaweed will also be improved and at the same time involve a private seaweed seeds intermediary for sustainable seed sources,” added Mr. Rahayu.
Editor: Petir Garda Bhwana; Translator: Antara
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