Efforts to strengthen the coastal economy through sustainable seaweed cultivation practices have yielded positive results once again in Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The Rote Conservation Kiosk, an economic institution established by the Indonesian Nature Conservation Foundation (YKAN), successfully conducted its inaugural sale of sustainable seaweed to its buyer partner, PT Bitang Raja Indonesia in Kupang, NTT.
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In this initial transaction, a group of farmers from Oelolot Village and Mbueain Village successfully marketed approximately 12 tons of dried seaweed through the Rote Conservation Kiosk. Some of the seaweed was cultivated using environmentally friendly practices, involving a process of collection, sorting, and packaging that ensures product quality.
The cleanliness of the seaweed and its water content, which meet the required standards, are the reasons why PT Bitang Raja Indonesia has purchased large quantities of the product and is considering establishing long-term partnerships as an off-taker. This partnership presents an opportunity for farmers who have not yet adopted environmentally friendly practices to learn and be encouraged to do so, as off-takers prefer products produced using environmentally friendly methods.
This success demonstrates the market's growing confidence in responsibly cultivated products. Sustainable seaweed differs from conventional products in that it applies environmental management principles, such as:
- Not damaging coastal ecosystems and maintaining appropriate planting distances.
- Managing plastic waste from unused ropes and floats by providing special trash bins.
- Managing production tools in an orderly and safe manner for marine biota habitats.
- Ensuring harvesting is carried out at the right age of seaweed to maintain quality and regeneration.
These practices ensure the long-term viability of seaweed stocks while preserving the health of the sea, which serves as the primary source of livelihood for coastal communities.
Since its inception in 2019, Kios Konservasi has played a pivotal role in disseminating sustainable seaweed cultivation practices. Kios Konservasi, which had temporarily suspended its activities due to the pandemic, resumed its operations in 2024. They provided intensive mentoring and training to cultivators on environmentally friendly cultivation practices. YKAN is committed to the sustainability of the program, and we provide a series of training and mentoring sessions to the Pelita Kasih Association on organisational and business management. YKAN connected them to the supply chain to promote the marketing of sustainable seaweed products. The Pelita Kasih Association now manages the Conservation Kiosk, which is now called the "Kios Konservasi Rote " This change is key to ensuring the community's economic empowerment runs independently.
The assistance is currently being provided in collaboration with the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government, the Rote Ndao Regency Government, the Kupang the National Marine Protected Area Center (BKKPN), and supported by organisations such as the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR Koralestari) and the Tahija Foundation. Moving forward, the collaboration between YKAN and its partners will continue to be strengthened to support farmers in adopting sustainable seaweed cultivation practices, ensuring that economic and conservation benefits are mutually beneficial.
This collaborative effort proves that the judicious use of marine resources protects the environment and paves the way for more equitable economic prospects for coastal communities.
Through the success of this inaugural transaction, the Rote Conservation Kiosk has taken a significant step forward in building a marketing system that supports the well-being of farmers while preserving the sea as a source of life.
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