KKP-Wakatobi Regional Government Builds Seaweed Modelling For Downstreaming

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) collaborated with the local government (Pemda) to realize the plan to develop a seaweed cultivation modeling in Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi.

This synergy includes providing land for modeling, supporting facilities and infrastructure as well as preparing a seaweed downstream industry.

"This development plan is for the Wakatobi community because the management will be fully managed by the community. So, how can seaweed cultivation bring prosperity in the future, and modeling is not only development upstream, but also downstream," said Director General of Fisheries Budi Daya KKP Tb Haeru Rahayu in a written statement, quoted Tuesday, August 15.

In the future, said Tebe as he is familiarly called, this pilot project will utilize an area of 50 hectares (ha) with a type of seaweed developed by Cottonii.

The KKP will build cultivation infrastructure, such as seaweed seedlings, network culture seaweed seedlings production units, to provide coconut shell buoys resulting from KKP innovation as supporting materials for more environmentally friendly cultivation activities.

Tebe ensured that the construction of the modeling mandate of President Jokowi was one hundred percent involving the community as the main actor in cultivation activities. All infrastructure to be built is entirely to support the productivity of cultivators in Wakatobi.

Dia menambahkan, KKP juga akan menyiapkan ekosistem usaha agar rumput laut yang dihasilkan bisa langsung diserap industri pengolahan, sehingga harganya menjadi lebih stabil.

"Then, downstream we will also build the ecosystem. Hopefully, this will be a means of job opportunities and the community can prosper," said Tebe.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Wakatobi Haliana ensured that the area was ready to become the location for the construction of the first seaweed cultivation model in Indonesia. The preparation of modeling locations continues to be matured by involving seaweed cultivators.

"This development is certainly an opportunity and hope for the community, because if this becomes not just a model, but the hope of the community to improve welfare," he added.