SABU RAIJUA – Market access for seaweed farmers in Jiwuwu Village, Sabu Raijua Regency, continues to improve. Through the Jiwuwu Seaweed Production House, the Jiwuwu Community-Based Organization (CBO) successfully completed its third shipment of dried seaweed to PT Sea Aditia Jaya. This achievement marks another important milestone in increasing the economic value of locally produced seaweed.

In this shipment, a total of 2,262 kilograms of dried Kappaphycus alvarezii (Cottonii) seaweed was delivered after all administrative requirements had been fulfilled and an official recommendation was issued by the Sabu Raijua Marine and Fisheries Office.

With this third shipment, the cumulative volume of seaweed marketed through the production house has reached 3,778 kilograms. The achievement represents a remarkable 236 percent increase in sales value compared to the first shipment. Beyond strengthening the local economy, the inter-island trade has also contributed IDR 1,924,000 to the Local Government Revenue (PAD) of Sabu Raijua Regency through a third-party contribution mechanism.

Post-Harvest Improvements Supporting Smallholder Farmers

This significant achievement has been driven by improvements in post-harvest management at the community level. With technical assistance from Yayasan SHEEP Indonesia, members of the producer group have adopted more standardized practices for collection, sorting, drying, and packaging. As a result, product quality has improved substantially and now exceeds the standards required by the market.

More than just a processing facility, the Jiwuwu Seaweed Production House has become a practical solution for the long-standing challenges faced by smallholder farmers. Unlike large-scale collectors that typically require high minimum purchase volumes, the production house accepts harvests in small quantities, ranging from as little as 2 to 5 kilograms.

By offering a fair purchasing price of IDR 17,000 per kilogram, the production house provides farmers with reliable market access while generating additional income to support their daily household needs.

"From the production process to the third shipment, we have seen that the production house effectively meets the needs of smallholder farmers by purchasing harvests in small quantities that larger collectors usually cannot accommodate. With a purchasing price of IDR 17,000 per kilogram, farmers are greatly supported in meeting their daily needs," said Oktavina Mone, Director of the Jiwuwu Seaweed Production House.

Building a Sustainable Seaweed Business Ecosystem

The successful completion of the third shipment demonstrates that the Jiwuwu Seaweed Production House is effectively fulfilling its role as a community-based marketing and processing center.

This achievement not only strengthens the bargaining position of traditional seaweed farmers in modern markets and expands their distribution network, but also lays a strong foundation for developing a healthier and more sustainable seaweed business ecosystem in Sabu Raijua Regency.