Gov’t Pushes for Downstreaming of Seaweed Processing Industry

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo chairs a limited meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday (06/23). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat)

The Government has affirmed its commitment to push for downstreaming of seaweed processing industry by running a pilot project in several provinces such as Bali, Southeast Sulawesi, Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

“We will run a pilot project in five areas as ordered by the President, including Buleleng, Wakatobi, Southeast Maluku, Rote Ndao in East Nusa Tenggara, and West Nusa Tenggara,” Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said in a press statement after attending a limited meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (06/23).

According to the Minister, Indonesia’s seaweed commodity has a great potential that has not been fully developed.

“Our country has enormous seaweed potential. It has around 12 million hectares of coastal areas suitable for seaweed cultivation, but only 0.8 percent of the potential areas have been explored with approximately nine million tons production in 2021,” he said.

On that occasion, the Minister also cited an example of several derivative products that can be made from seaweed.

“Seaweed is suitable for fertilizer or biofuel-making. It also can be used for food, pharmaceutical products, and others. It can also be processed into many derivative products,” the Minister further said. (TGH/UN) (RIF/MMB)