Using technology to increase income for seaweed cultivators
The economy of Osi Island, located in the West Seram District of Maluku, Indonesia, centres on fishing and seasweed conservation. Over 75% of the islands population is engaged in seaweed farming, mainly in the southern part of the island towards Teluk Kota Nia and around Buntal Island. But current seaweed farming practices are degrading the marine environment. Extreme weather, which as become harder to predict with traditional knowledge, often impacts the drying process of marine products and seaweed cultivation and in turn, threatens income stability.
Kopernik is working directly with seaweed farmers to address these problems, together with other community members, such as women and youth, who actively participate in planting, harvesting, and maintaining the crops.
By using an innovative solar-powered drying system, the project supports seaweed farmers and their families by advancing traditional methods of drying seaweed in a way that is resilient to extreme weather caused by climate change, creating a higher quality seaweed product and reducing losses.
The project also tackles ocean conservancy by promoting sustainable practices, and fosters livelihood improvement through product diversification and increased income potential for the seaweed farmers.
Visit their website for more information.
Photo credits: Yayasan Kopernik
