Abstract
Seaweed farming in Indonesia is carried out throughout much of the archipelago and is mainly undertaken by smallholder farmers. Indonesia is the largest global producer of the red seaweeds Kappaphycus and Eucheuma, which are used to produce carrageenan, and is a major producer of Gracilaria, which is used to produce agar. Seaweed farming is attractive to farmers in rural coastal communities because capital and operating costs are low, farming techniques are not technically demanding, labour requirements are relatively low (allowing farmers to engage in other livelihoods), and production cycles are short (30–45 days), providing regular income. Using reported values for seaweed-farming income, we conclude that seaweed farming can, but does not always, lift rural households above the Indonesian poverty line. In addition to direct financial benefits, seaweed farming also contributes to human and social capital within seaweed farming households and communities. Achieving continued economic and social benefits from seaweed farming will require additional policy development, as well as research and development to support improved and more consistent seaweed productivity and improved product quality at the farm level, provision of effective extension and technical support services, and diversification of the existing value chains in order to reduce the impacts of price fluctuations that are associated with limited global commodity chains.
Highlights
Seaweeds are directly consumed in Asia, in parts of South America and in the PacificIslands [1,2,3], and there is increasing interest in their role in supporting human health as nutraceuticals or functional foods [4,5]
In this review we evaluate the potential for seaweed farming to contribute sustainably to improved and more resilient livelihoods for people in the tropics, based on the evidence from Indonesia
Environmental aspects of tropical seaweed mariculture by focusing on social and eco3 of 22 nomic aspects. In taking this approach we explore the potential of seaweed aquaculture to contribute to improved and more resilient livelihoods and the wellbeing of people in the tropics, with a specific focus on Indonesia
Summary
Seaweeds are directly consumed in Asia, in parts of South America and in the Pacific. Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW environmental aspects of tropical seaweed mariculture by focusing on social and eco of 22 nomic aspects In taking this approach we explore the potential of seaweed aquaculture to contribute to improved and more resilient livelihoods and the wellbeing of people in the tropics, with a specific focus on Indonesia. We do so by introducing the seaweed farming value In taking this approach we explore the potential of seaweed aquaculture to contribute chains in Indonesia, examining the economic and social costs and benefits associated with to improved and more resilient livelihoods and the wellbeing of people in the tropics, with seaweed farming in Indonesia and summarizing the risks to seaweed farmers related to a specific focus on Indonesia. We conclude paper with a summary of Indonesian legislation ers. regulations relevant to seaweed farming and policy recommendations that could and support improved economic and social outcomes for Indonesian seaweed farmers
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