Potential Seaweed Business in NTT

id Seaweed

Potential Seaweed Business in NTT

Data from an economic and financial study said NTT has exported dry seaweed and already has two seaweed processing factories in Sabu Raijua and Sumba Timur. (ANTARA Photo/Kornelis Kaha)

Representative of Bank Indonesia in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) said that business in seaweed farming is growing fast in the region.
Kupang (Antara NTT) - Representative of Bank Indonesia in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) said that business in seaweed farming is growing fast in the region.

Data from an economic and financial study said NTT has exported dry seaweed and already has two seaweed processing factories in Sabu Raijua and Sumba Timur.

Rainy days of only 3 to 4 months with rainfall of 150 - 200 millimeters a year and with strong sun light, quite sea especially in the northern part of NTT, contribute to superior quality of the region`s seaweed, the best in Indonesia.

Based on official record of Bank Indonesia, currently NTT has 51,870 hectares of potential areas for seaweed cultivation spread in various districts such as the regencies of Kupang, Sabu Raijua, Rote Ndao, Alor, Lembata, Flores Timur, Sikka, Sumba Timur and Manggarai Barat.

The type of seaweed cultivated in NTT is the superior species of Euchema cottoni, which accounts for almost 90 percent of seaweed production in the province, and gracilaria.

With its natural condition, it is natural that NTT has a comparative superiority in the production of seaweed.

However, the potential has largely remained untapped. Progress has not been made much in increasing the added value of seaweed. The country has exported most of its seaweed production.

Added value has been made only in the production of alkali treated carageenophytes (ATC) Chip and refined carrageenan and other products in Surabaya.

The added value could be much higher if the end products could be produced in the country, Bank Indonesia said.

A kg of ATC Chip, which is worth around Rp70,000, is produced from 3 kg of dry seaweed, which are worth Rp24,000. The 1 kg of ATC Chip which is worth Rp70,000 would rise in value to Rp165,000 when it is processed into refined carrageenen.

The value would be higher still when refined carrageenan is processed further into finished products.

Considering the potential value of seaweed derivatives, it is necessary to seriously taken steps to develop downstream seaweed industry. The industry would not only benefit the farmers but also would open new jobs .