Heaptalk, Jakarta — Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) continues several efforts to boost seaweed cultivation productivity. As one of the leading export commodities, the marine plant has large market potential in the global market. Seaweed utilization ranges from food ingredients to raw materials for making cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.
At the talk show Bincang Bahari discussing seaweed business investment opportunities (10/25), Special Assistant to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for Media and Public Communication Doni Ismanto explained that the development of seaweed cultivation is included in the KKP Blue Economy program over its enormous potential in Indonesia. One of the potentials is the availability of 12.3 million hectares of mariculture land, while only 102 thousand hectares (0.8%) have been utilized.
Currently, Indonesia occupies the second position as the largest seaweed producer in the world behind China with production reaching 9.1 million tons based on 2021 data. Indonesia supplies mostly raw seaweed, specifically for the Euchema cottoni species.
Doni delivered, “Seaweed can be said to be the green gold of the sea. We should not lose the opportunity since we own the resources. Of the five blue economy programs, one of which is the development of sustainable cultivation. One of the commodities being boosted is seaweed. Currently, we have a large volume but in raw form, while the processed one has a higher value. This is the challenge.”
The Director of Seeds, Directorate General of Aquaculture, KKP Nono Hartanto added that the strategy to increase seaweed productivity was carried out by the Ministry in multiple lines. In the upstream area, his party develops superior seeds based on a tissue culture system that is proven to grow faster and is more resistant to pest attacks than ordinary seeds. The Ministry also conducts an aquaculture village program and establishes seaweed cultivation clusters, making certainty in spatial planning for cultivators. KKP provides a business capital loan assistance program for small, medium, and large-class cultivators.
Nono further explained, “There are 6 units of our technical implementation (UPT) that are geared with a tissue culture lab to produce superior seaweed seeds. We are targeting the increase of plantlet production, which will be developed in the nursery, to be further distributed to local government and private nurseries. This is a step from the upstream side which hopefully can answer the raw material needs of the seaweed industry in Indonesia.”
Collaboration with BKPM and World Bank for seaweed investment
On the other hand, KKP also promotes investment opportunities for domestic businesses to increase the variety of products. Up to now, most exported products are raw materials, whereas processed products have a higher value.
Shortly, the Ministry collaborates with the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), the World Bank, and other parties to hold the Seaweed Investment Forum & Festival in Surabaya in early November 2022. The forum aims to strengthen domestic seaweed production, branding activities, and market expansion for business actors in the global market.
According to the Director of Business and Investment, Directorate General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP) Catur Sarwanto, the collaboration is a form of reaffirmation of the Ministry’s commitment to blue economy development through the promotion of champion commodities, one of which is seaweed. “The event will build communication between stakeholders since investment in seaweed is interrelated between upstream and downstream,” said Catur.
Likewise, the Assistant Deputy for Aquaculture Development of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs (Kemenko Marves) Rahmat Mulianda also highlighted the large market potential of seaweed products in the global market. Rahmat emphasized that commodity becomes essential as economic growth shifts from a land-based economy to a marine economy.
Latest, Rahmat delivered that the commodity is not only used as a raw material for making food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products but is also related to carbon trading due to its ability to absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which triggers climate change.
In his closing statement, Rahmat voiced, “We are not solely talking about seaweed, but also the wider view of blue economy, blue development, and blue carbon which are all included in seaweed. This commodity should be our concern as it is the green gold that can be a source of livelihood and a source of income and foreign exchange.”
