REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PANGKALPINANG -- The government of Bangka-Belitung (Babel) province will soon develop a seaweed cultivation pilot area in the waters of Belitung and South Bangka districts, according to local marine and fisheries office spokesman Kristializar.

"This year, we have allocated a budget of Rp237.8 million to develop the pilot area for seaweed cultivation to optimize the production of the commodity for the local farmers," he stated here on Wednesday (14/1).

Kristializar explained that the decision to develop the pilot area for seaweed cultivation in the two districts had been taken as the waters there are still free of pollution, and the coastal community's interest in seaweed farming is quite high.

"At present, the development of seaweed farming is still in the stage of auction, and we hope that it will be conducted in the middle of this year," he noted.

He expressed hope that the presence of a pilot area for seaweed cultivation is expected to enable the local farmers to obtain good-quality seeds, to train in dealing with pests and to consult on good seaweed farming practices.

"The pilot area for seaweed cultivation will serve as a training center for the local farmers to improve the quality of this commodity," Kristializar affirmed.

According to him, the Bangka-Belitung coastal areas are suitable for seaweed cultivation to boost the local economy as its harvest period is relatively short, or about in 45 days.

"Therefore, we will continue to develop seaweed cultivation by increasing seeding activities and improving the infrastructure system and management," he noted.

He pointed out that seaweed production in Babel reached 105 thousand tons in 2011 and continued to increase by 182 thousand tons in 2012, 336.6 thousand tons in 2013, 663.8 thousand tons in 2014, and it is projected to reach more than one million tons in 2015.

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