By Nur Ahyani and Ade Novia Putri

The Better Management Practices (BMP) Socialization Roadshow in six FoRLa-Alor assisted villages took place from 13 - 30 November 2014. Pelipus Laka, chairman of FoRLa, along with the Treasurer, Asyari Karim, and WWF-ID's Community Empowernment Officer, Ade Novia Putri, departed from Kalabahi, the day before the event.

West Kalondama Village, the farthest village from Kalabahi city center compared to the other five villages, got the first turn of the socialization series. Pelipus Laka, Asyari Karim and Ade Novia Putri had to travel eight hours by passenger motorboat to reach Wolu Harbor. The journey continued by motorcycle taxi through the hills, to the house of Selfianus B. Sirah, the motivator of West Kalondama Village.

Pak Ipu, as Pelipus Laka is usually called, opened the agenda by describing FoRLa's activity program together with WWF-Indonesia, which is to improve seaweed aquaculture based on BMPs. In front of 55 seaweed farmers in West Kalondama who gathered on the beach, he explained what BMPs are; the aspects of BMPs; why to practice based on BMPs; and how to improve the seaweed farming process.

Mr. Ipu briefly discussed the contents of BMPs regarding group/forum strengthening, cultivation planning and preparation, cultivation methods, seeds and management, planting and maintenance, harvest and post-harvest steps, and recording of cultivation activities. Mr. Ipu, Asyari, and Ade collaborated in providing understanding to cultivators armed with two banners containing a grid of material. After the presentation from FoRLa and WWF-ID was completed, the event continued with a question and answer session.

The same process was also carried out in the following villages. On November 14, 2014, the socialization was conducted at Wolu Beach, Kayang Village. This time, the audience was 83 cultivators with the help of motivator Muhamad S. Leky.

Then on 19 and 20 November 2014, the socialization continued to Baranusa Village and Bana Village. The socialization in Baranusa Village took place on Lapang Island, the location where Baranusa residents conduct seaweed farming activities. A total of 95 farmers attended the event with facilitation assistance from Syarifudin Jou as the motivator. After Baranusa, motivator Darsono Saly and 50 cultivators in Bana Village had the opportunity to listen to the socialization event.

Alaang Village and Pante Deere Village had the last turn of socialization. On November 29, 2014, Nikanor Bana managed to invite 50 farmers to attend the event in Alaang Village. Then on November 30, 2014, the series of socialization ended in Pante Deere Village, attended by 16 farmers. Yermias Pantele as the motivator revealed that the small number of farmers who came was due to the halt of seaweed cultivation activities in the village due to ice-ice attacks.

In the question and answer session, farmers expressed their curiosity about BMPs, how they are implemented, and what the benefits are. Many questions also arose from technical aspects, such as how to handle pests such as moss and ice-ice disease control, how to manage good seedlings, and good post-harvest handling. Farmers also expressed their hope to be facilitated in terms of seaweed sales, so that they are not played by collectors, and can get the best price.
By Nur Ahyani and Ade Novia Putri