Prospects for growing seaweed in Sumenep Regency (Indonesia) as a potential method of employing women

This study was conducted on August 2001 in Bluto, Talango and Saronggi Districts, Sumenep Regency, to carry out surveying on growing methods and distribution of seaweed planting, discovering seaweed potential and estimating demand for the next 5 years; to find out the gender of workers employed in this industry and, to find out the factors affecting the activities of both men and women in growing seaweed. The species of seaweed grown was Eucheuma cottonii. Since 1995 seaweed production has increased significantly from 151,06 tons in 1995, to 1,860 in 1996, 2,325 in 1997, 3,022 in 1998 and 3,225 in 1999, but no increase in 2000. However the projected annual demand for the next 5 years is expected to rise from 9,602 tons in 2001, to 15,747 in 2002, 23,545 in 2003, 32,994 in 2004 and 33,437 tons in 2005. Yet, most of the area suitable for growing seaweed almost 5,833 ha, remains unused. Furthermore, the yields obtained per ha are still low and still far from fulfilling demand, and if there is no significant increase in production the shortfall forecasted over the coming 5 years is expected to be 6,378 tons in 2001, 12,523 in 2002, 20,320 in 2003, 24,769 in 2004 and 30,212 tons in 2005. The seaweed is harvested and sold directly at site to middlemen at prices set arbitrarily by them. In fact, prices paid to seaweed farmers have been decreased year by year, this is due to the fact that these middlemen add salt to the seaweed before drying and selling to factories or big traders, who then pay low prices because of the high salt content. The role of women in the planting/growing, harvesting and postharvest processing is very big, almost 80 percent of the total labour, they also receive most of the income. Unfortunately, the women have a little or no access to loans/credit, the business is almost completely controlled by men/husbands. The findings of this study can be summarized as follow, seaweed growing in Sumenep Regency can be increased both by opening new areas and by more intensive growing methods, and furthermore women's incomes can be improved by providing gainful employment. In order to achieve this, the following recommendation can be implemented: increase women's middlemen's others skills and knowledge concerning the growing, harvesting and postharvest processing to improve both quantities and qualities; find ways of increasing these growers' bargaining power through the intervention and assistance of the relevant government institutions, who will really endeavour to improve and stabilize prices, and the farmer's living standards