S HALMAHERA, N MALUKU PROMOTE SEAWEED CULTIVATION

Ternate, N.Maluku, 10  Dzulqa’dah 1435/5 September 2014 (MINA) – The administration of South Halmahera District, North Indonesia’s Maluku Province, has been promoting the cultivation of seaweed to increase income for people living in the coastline areas and small islands in the district.

The public relation and protocol official of the district Daud Jubaidi said here on Thursday, ever year the administration allocates budget to support seaweed cultivation.

The program of cultivation has shown good results, with more people living in coastline areas and small islands cultivating seaweeds, antaranews quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“The people are interested in seaweed cultivation as it does not require much capital, and in addition, they can earn money within 45 days,” Daud noted.

The marketing of seaweed products is satisfactory, as currently, a seaweed processing industry has been constructed in Ternate that accommodates the seaweed from South Halmahera and other districts in North Maluku.

Daud said the district administration has been seeking the possibility of involving investors to improve seaweed cultivation and processing in order to raise added values.

The potential for seaweed cultivation in South Halmahera is great, as 300 islands are situated that are suitable for the cultivation.

Other districts in North Maluku that produce seaweed are Ternate, Morotai Island, and Taliabu Island, with a total production reaching to 30 thousand tons per year.(T/P009/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)