Demonstration of Sustainable Seaweed Culture and Processing in Aceh, Indonesia and the Philippines - Opportunities for Women to Improve Household Welfare

This project works with the local community to develop a more sustainable use of tambaks, other than the mono-culture of shrimp that was the norm before the 2004 tsunami. The use of polyculture and production of seaweeds were suggested as more sustainable aquatic farming methods. The project was conducted in collaboration with colleagues from the Philippines who had considerable experience with seaweed production, processing and marketing. A series of workshops were conducted to train the women and men who work together in the ponds to care for the seaweeds or in the case of the Philippines, how to culture seaweed in coastal environments. Another series of workshops focused on the women in the communities and teaching them recipes and preparation methods for using seaweeds and seaweed products in their family food supply. The farmers have been very successful, with new cash crops of seaweed and soft shell crabs to go along with improved growth and survival of shrimp from the polyculture as well as improved water quality. The women from the training course workshops have learned several recipes for using seaweeds as vegetables and in snack foods. They also learned how to extract agar, which can then be used as a thickener or to make candies and desserts. Finally, farmers were aided in the construction of drying platforms that vastly improves the quality of dried seaweed and reduces contamination with sand and shell from drying on the ground. A commercial seaweed buyer has committed to purchasing 14 MT a month and is supplying baling equipment and additional tables. The success of the project was further underscored by the commitment of the government of Indonesia to provide funds for further development of seaweed culture in additional communities in Aceh province.