KKP Introduces Seaweed Reduction Innovation To Improve Production Quality

The seaweed drying technology is a greenhouse system. (Photo: Doc. KKP)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) introduced the innovation of greenhouse system seaweed drying technology and rotary dryer machines in the Silvofishery Marana area in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi.

This is done to improve production quality.

Head of the Human Resources Extension and Development Agency (BPSDM) KKP I Nyoman Radiarta said the results of the innovation of the Smart Fisheries Village (SFV) for Fishery Mechanical, Research Loka for the Mechanical Processing of Fishery Products (LRMPHP) Bantul will maintain the quality of stability of productivity of the cultivators, especially during the rainy season.

"This innovation in the future will be applied at Silvofishery Marana, Maros," Nyoman said in his official statement, Wednesday, November 13.

Nyoman said that the collaboration between technical implementing units (UPT) is a strategic step in presenting appropriate technology to support economic improvement and the quality of life of coastal communities.

"With the synergy between Technical Implementation Units under the BPPSDM KP, we can optimize the development of tools and technology that suit the needs of local communities, such as seaweed drying technology," he said.

According to him, this innovation is a tangible form of how technology can be a powerful solution for coastal communities that depend on the fisheries sector.

Since this year, said Nyoman, LRMPHP has been tasked with implementing fishery mechanization SFVs in the form of support for the implementation of the ongoing SFV UPT.

The main focus of SFV activities is optimizing LRMPHP assets to design and design fishery processing tools to support SFV activities.

Meanwhile, Head of LRPMH Kartika Winta Aprilia explained that greenhouse dryers are used to increase the efficiency of seaweed drying.

Meanwhile, the rotary dryer engine is used to facilitate the drying process of fish pellets or maggots.

Second, this tool can specifically be used by coastal communities that depend on this sector.

It is known that the tool was first introduced at SFV Wanamina Marana, Maros, South Sulawesi. The determination of the Wanamina SFV as a location that will be supported is based on the results of identification of needs in the field, specifications of equipment and readiness of technology owned by LRMPHP.

The greenhouse drying system is designed to lower seaweed levels to a safe level that prevents the development of fungi, microorganisms and insects and increases the storage period of products.

With a size of 3x4x2.5 meters, the dryer building is designed with a greenhouse effect system, using a galvanical hollow iron frame, wall and roof coverings using mika plastic. Then, there is an exhaust fan that helps maintain room moisture and remove water vapor.

The walls and roofs of mika function to capture and store the energy of sunlight used to reduce product water content. This tool is also added by hot absorbers to optimize heat storage.

Having room temperature capable of reaching 56$C and low spatial humidity, this tool allows for high quality dry seaweed.

This greenhouse-based dryer system is designed not only to lower seaweed levels to safety points, but also minimize the growth of fungi, microorganisms and insects, so that they cannot develop.

Thus extending the life of seaweed shelf life and increasing its value in the market.

This dryer can also accommodate 400-500 kilograms of seaweed per cycle at an efficient and much more efficient operational cost than traditional methods.

Meanwhile, the rotary dryer combines the process of collecting and drying fish pellets together in a rotating drum, so that the pellet drying process can take place quickly at a low cost.

In the future, this greenhouse effect-based dryer is expected to be adopted in other coastal areas, as part of the KKP's commitment to developing a blue economy throughout Indonesia.