Ambon (Antara Maluku) - The Fishery Product Processing and Marketing Directorate General of the Marine and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) has set aside a budget for the construction of sea weed depot and warehouse in the regency of Maluku Barat Daya (MBD).
"KKP has allocated a budget of Rp1 billion from the Special Allocation Fund (DAK) of 2015 to build a depot and warehouse for sea weed ," head of the Marine and Fisheries Service of MBD John James Kay said here on Friday.
The depot and the warehouse would be built on the island of Luang , sub-district of Mdona Hyera, which has been named a sea weed production center in the regency of MBD.
"The depot will have a place to dry the sea weed and set of power generator," John said.
He said the people of Luang island have been more interested in the cultivation of sea weed as the sea around that island is suitable for sea weed cultivation.
The sea has always been calm in all seasons and the farmers want to cultivate sea weed in large scale, he said.
"Currently sea weed production from the island of Luang average 400 tons per month and the production could be double as that area is potential for sea weed farming. The farmers need only fund aid," he added.
John said the depot to be built will be the piling center for sea weed from the local farmers to make it easier for transactions with traders who will buy sea weed with standard price prevailing in the market.
He said he hopes the availability of the facility will encourage the farmers to expand their sea weed cultivation and increase production.
It is also expected to attract investors to build a sea weed processing factory in that island, he added.
"With the depot in operation will open an opportunity of forming cooperation with investors to build a sea weed processing factory that supply from MBD is no longer raw sea weed , but in various products that will give added value," he said.
So far traders buying raw sea from MBD are not only local traders , but those coming from as far as Surabaya.
Production of sea weed from Maluku Barat Daya in 2013 totaled 3,659.9 tons , up from 2,888.2 tons in 2012.
The largest contributor to the total production is the sub-district of Mdona Hyera with production of 1,663.6 tons, Romang Island 586 tons, Wetar Barat 558.6 tons, Wetang island 480.6 tons and Marsela island 371.2 tons.
John said the district administration continues to encourage the local farmers to increase their production of sea weed as the main commodity while continuing their activities in fish farming.
The district administration will facilitate the farmers to expand their sea weed cultivation by offering seeds and farming tools, he said.
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Ambon, Maluku 2015
"KKP has allocated a budget of Rp1 billion from the Special Allocation Fund (DAK) of 2015 to build a depot and warehouse for sea weed ," head of the Marine and Fisheries Service of MBD John James Kay said here on Friday.
The depot and the warehouse would be built on the island of Luang , sub-district of Mdona Hyera, which has been named a sea weed production center in the regency of MBD.
"The depot will have a place to dry the sea weed and set of power generator," John said.
He said the people of Luang island have been more interested in the cultivation of sea weed as the sea around that island is suitable for sea weed cultivation.
The sea has always been calm in all seasons and the farmers want to cultivate sea weed in large scale, he said.
"Currently sea weed production from the island of Luang average 400 tons per month and the production could be double as that area is potential for sea weed farming. The farmers need only fund aid," he added.
John said the depot to be built will be the piling center for sea weed from the local farmers to make it easier for transactions with traders who will buy sea weed with standard price prevailing in the market.
He said he hopes the availability of the facility will encourage the farmers to expand their sea weed cultivation and increase production.
It is also expected to attract investors to build a sea weed processing factory in that island, he added.
"With the depot in operation will open an opportunity of forming cooperation with investors to build a sea weed processing factory that supply from MBD is no longer raw sea weed , but in various products that will give added value," he said.
So far traders buying raw sea from MBD are not only local traders , but those coming from as far as Surabaya.
Production of sea weed from Maluku Barat Daya in 2013 totaled 3,659.9 tons , up from 2,888.2 tons in 2012.
The largest contributor to the total production is the sub-district of Mdona Hyera with production of 1,663.6 tons, Romang Island 586 tons, Wetar Barat 558.6 tons, Wetang island 480.6 tons and Marsela island 371.2 tons.
John said the district administration continues to encourage the local farmers to increase their production of sea weed as the main commodity while continuing their activities in fish farming.
The district administration will facilitate the farmers to expand their sea weed cultivation by offering seeds and farming tools, he said.
Editor : John Nikita S
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Ambon, Maluku 2015