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Development of Conservation-Based Seaweed Cultivation to Support Community Ecology and Economy

February 27, 2024 | Jakarta

TLF31
Keterangan Foto TLF 31 "Pengembangan Budi Daya Rumput Laut Berbasis Konservasi untuk Mendukung Ekologi dan Ekonomi Masyarakat", Jakarta 28/2/24. © YKAN

Media Contacts

  • Adia Puja Pradana
    Communications Specialist Ocean Program YKAN
    Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara
    Email: adia.pradana@ykan.or.id

Indonesia is the second largest seaweed producer in the world after China. One of the largest seaweed producers in Indonesia comes from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province. However, many seaweed cultivation practices can damage the environment and threaten the sustainability of coastal habitats. Cultivation practices that are not environmentally friendly can also have an impact on reducing economic benefits for society.

Environmentally friendly and sustainable seaweed cultivation was the main topic in the Thought Leadership Forum (TLF) discussion held by Yayasan Konseravasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), with the theme "Development of Conservation-Based Seaweed Cultivation to Support Community Ecology and Economy" in Jakarta, Wednesday, February 28, 2024.

Kepala Dinas Kelautan dan Perikanan Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur Sulastri H. I. Rasyid dalam sesii dialog Thought Leaders Forum ke-31, Rabu, (28/2).
Photo Caption Head of the East Nusa Tenggara Province Maritime and Fisheries Service, Sulastri H. I. Rasyid in the 31st Thought Leaders Forum dialogue session, Wednesday, (28/2). © Adia Puja Pradana/YKAN

"These challenges can be overcome by increasing farmers' knowledge with technical guidance, integrating seaweed cultivation programs into village plans, developing jointly managed nurseries, creating information sources for seaweed farmers that are easily accessible, and collaborating with financial institutions to provide access to capital," he said.

Efforts to build sustainable grass cultivation

To overcome the challenges of seaweed cultivation in NTT, YKAN developed a sustainable seaweed cultivation model in Oelolot Village and Mbueain Village, Rote Ndao Regency. Community groups in the two villages are invited to apply best practices (Best Management Practices) in every stage of cultivation to marketing. This stage starts with managing the nursery, selecting superior seaweed seeds, choosing an environmentally friendly cultivation location, making seaweed dryers that comply with Indonesian National Standards (SNI), and marketing seaweed products to buyers who care about the environment. Another thing is integrating seaweed cultivation into development planning in the village so that activities can continue even after the program has finished.

Savu Sea Program Manager YKAN M. Zia Ul Haq menjelaskan mengenai kegiatan konservasi dan peran YKAN dalam mengembangkan budi daya rumput laut yang ramah lingkungan, Rabu, (28/2).
Photo Caption Savu Sea Program Manager YKAN M. Zia Ul Haq explained conservation activities and YKAN's role in developing environmentally friendly seaweed cultivation on Wednesday (28/2). © Adia Puja Pradana/YKAN
Bupati Sabu Raijua Nikodemus Nithanael Rihi Heke menjelaskan mengenai perkembangan budi daya rumput laut di Kabupaten Sabu Raijua, NTT, dalam sesi dialog interaktif Thought Leaders Forum ke-31, Rabu, (28/2).
Photo Caption The Regent of Sabu Raijua, Nikodemus Nithanael Rihi Heke, explained the development of seaweed cultivation in Sabu Raijua Regency, NTT, in the interactive dialogue session of the 31st Thought Leaders Forum, Wednesday (28/2). © Adia Puja Pradana/YKAN
Direktur Eksekutif Tahija Foundation Trihadi Saptoadi menjelaskan peran kemitraan Tahija Foundation terhadap pendampingan budi daya rumput laut di Kabupaten Sabu Raijua, NTT, Rabu, (28/2).
Photo Caption Tahija Foundation Executive Director Trihadi Saptoadi explained the role of the Tahija Foundation partnership in assisting seaweed cultivation in Sabu Raijua Regency, NTT, Wednesday (28/2). © Adia Puja Pradana/YKAN

The importance of interagency partnerships

A comprehensive and structured partnership is critical for successful sustainable coastal resource management.

"In facing the challenges of sustainable management of natural resources, we cannot walk alone. Through partnerships between government, society, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations, such as YKAN, many concrete actions can be implemented to transform seaweed cultivation in NTT. "We hope that the positive impact that has been achieved can inspire more other seaweed industry players to participate directly in preserving nature and improving the welfare of society," said YKAN Executive Director Herlina Hartanto.

Kebun bibit rumput laut di Desa Oelolot, Kab. Rote Ndao, Nusa Tenggara Timur.
Photo Caption Seaweed Nursery in Oelolot Village, Kab. Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara. © Nugroho Arif Prabowo/YKAN
Kelompok perempuan pembudi daya rumput laut di Desa Oelolot, Kab. Rote Ndao, Nusa Tenggara Timur.
Photo Caption Group of women cultivating seaweed in Oelolot Village, Kab. Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara. © Nugroho Arif Prabowo/YKAN

The Executive Director of the Tahija Foundation, Trihadi Saptoadi, agreed. "Since 2017, the Tahija Foundation has supported environmentally friendly, responsible, and sustainable seaweed cultivation and implemented local wisdom in marine use in NTT—our commitment to preserving nature. "Hopefully, with this discussion, collaboration between institutions can be strengthened," he hoped.

Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) is a scientific-based non-profit organization that has been present in Indonesia since 2014. With the mission of protecting lands and waters as life support systems, we provide innovative solutions to realize the harmony of nature and humans through effective natural resource management, prioritizing a non-confrontational approach, and building a network of partnerships with all stakeholders for a sustainable Indonesia. For more information, visit ykan.or.id.