Author: Emy Maro (Secretary and Coordinator of FoRLa Information Center*)

In the midst of the rapid development of the seaweed sector, the demand for production is also increasing. The market demands that farmers can provide seaweed with high economic value and guaranteed quality. FoRLa, together with WWF-Indonesia, is trying to encourage the improvement of seaweed farming businesses to meet market demands through mentoring and opening wider and stronger networks. This is done to achieve a responsible aquaculture chain. The improvement of seaweed farming activities starts from cultivation practices to post-harvest with various methods and strategies. One of the efforts made is by helping the availability of seaweed drying equipment solar dryer dome in Wahing, Aimoli Village, Kec. Alor Barat Laut, Kab. Alor, NTT.

The presence of the solar dryer dome has greatly attracted the interest of FoRLa-assisted seaweed farmers in Aimoli Village, Alaang, and surrounding areas. This can be seen through their support in the inauguration of the solar dryer dome on Tuesday, July 12, 2016. Not only FoRLa members, the Regent of Alor, Drs. Amon Djobo, leaders of the Regional Work Units (SKPD), and representatives of the Regional House of Representatives were also present at the inauguration. The inauguration aimed to introduce a new drying method using a sunlight system that is guaranteed to improve the quality of the dried seaweed produced.

In his remarks on behalf of the Chairman of the Alor Regency DPRD, DPRD member Mr. Muyawan Djawa expressed his appreciation to FoRLa. In addition, he also encouraged the Alor Regional Government to support a mentoring fund for FoRLa institutions and place FoRLa as the official information agency for the seaweed sector in Alor Regency.

In the same event, Alor Regent Drs. Amon Djobo also thanked FoRLa for facilitating the presence of new equipment/buildings in Alor Regency. This solar dryer dome is expected to be used optimally, also considered in terms of utilization and maintenance. He also hopes that there will be additional solar dryer dome in production centers so that it can be utilized in other agricultural and plantation sectors.

Solar dryer dome is expected to be one example of a good seaweed drying media. With a capacity of 300 kg of wet seaweed at one time and temperatures in the drying dome reaching 50OC, quality results are expected for seaweed farmers in Aimoli Village and surrounding areas. In addition to drying seaweed, residents also agreed to intersperse the use of the solar dryer dome with garden and agricultural products that need to be dried to make final products.

In the near future, ASSIST will assist the farmers in training, opening market access, and streamlining management to maximize their knowledge in the utilization of the solar dryer dome. FoRLa will also continue to supervise and check the use of the solar dryer dome and hopes that it will continue to function as it was originally intended in Aimoli Village.

*FoRLa Alor is a local NGO that joined JARING-Nusantara initiated by WWF-Indonesia. FoRLa Alor is a local NGO that joined JARING-Nusantara.