The Economics of Kappaphycus Seaweed Cultivation in Developing Countries: A Comparative Analysis of Farming Systems

The farming of the red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii and related species as raw material for the hydrocolloid carrageenan rapidly spread from the Philippines in the late 1960s to Indonesia, Tanzania, and other tropical countries around the world. Although numerous studies have documented positive socioeconomic impacts for seaweed farming, factors such as diseases and distance to export markets have led to an uneven development of the industry. Using standard budgeting techniques, this study adapted production and market data from a FAO-led global review of seaweed farming to develop comparative enterprise budgets for eight farming systems in six countries (Indonesia, the Philippines, Tanzania, India, Solomon Islands, and Mexico). Although the basic technology package is the same across countries, the study revealed large differences in the economic performance of systems due to wide variations in farm prices and the scale of operations. Although seaweed farming is a suitable activity for small-scale producers, a minimum of 2,000m of cultures lines are still necessary to ensure adequate economic returns. Greater farming plots may be needed if farm prices are well below the average farm prices paid in Indonesia and the Philippines. Policy recommendations are made to improve the economic potential of underperforming systems

Adaptive phyconomy for sustainable management of coastal ecoscapes in Indonesia

Abstract Adaptive phyconomy supports holistic, sustainable marine ecoscape development as a component of integrated coastal area management (ICAM). Phyconomy is the branch of applied phycology that comprises systems of art, science and technology applied to production systems that yield crops of algae. Through the macroalgae known as “seaweeds”, farmers turn seawater, sunshine, and effort into money. Adaptive marine phyconomy of tropical red seaweeds is an outstanding example of large-scale crop production that developed primarily from simple methods refined by farmers in the sea, but as of 2020 it is, still much more art than science. Phyconomy, ecoscape issues and market issues are intertwined in a way that demands holistic planning and management. Every phyconomy action is influenced not only by energy and materials issues, but also by issues among value chain stakeholder alliances. Ocean farming functions take place under conditions where environmental and socio-economic conditions are often uncertain, therefore adaptive approaches must be applied in a way that is resilient and sustainable. The present paper discusses how adaptive phyconomy art and science is being developed as a fundamental component of integrated coastal area management for sustainable marine ecoscape development in Indonesia.</jats:p

Role of Mariculture in the Canadian Seaweed Industry

Natural stocks of Canadian marine algae serve as sources of raw material for the alginate, carrageenan, and food seaweeds industries. The large stocks of seaweed on both coasts of Canada have stimulated investigations by workers involved in a wide range of disciplines. In recent years, the results of seaweed surveys and scientific investigations have led to the development of seaweed cultivation techniques which are assuming a commercial orientation. Commercial seaweed cultivation in Canada is in the early stages of development. Although Canadian cultivation techniques draw on Japanese cultivation techniques to some extent, the Canadian work has a number of characteristic features which stem from the economic and environmental features prevalent in the area. Canadian cultivation techniques tend to emphasize vegetative propagation in enclosures. The Canadian techniques tend to be intensive and have a low labor content. The significance of mariculture within the context of a total Canadian seaweeds industry is discussed. </jats:p

Not Available

Not AvailableThe farming of the red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii and related species as raw material for the hydrocolloid carrageenan rapidly spread from the Philippines in the late 1960s to Indonesia, Tanzania, and other tropical countries around the world. Although numerous studies have documented positive socioeconomic impacts for seaweed farming, factors such as diseases and distance to export markets have led to an uneven development of the industry. Using standard budgeting techniques, this study adapted production and market data from a FAO-led global review of seaweed farming to develop comparative enterprise budgets for eight farming systems in six countries (Indonesia, the Philippines, Tanzania, India, Solomon Islands, and Mexico). Although the basic technology package is the same across countries, the study revealed large differences in the economic performance of systems due to wide variations in farm prices and the scale of operations. Although seaweed farming is a suitable activity for small-scale producers, a minimum of 2,000m of cultures lines are still necessary to ensure adequate economic returns. Greater farming plots may be needed if farm prices are well below the average farm prices paid in Indonesia and the Philippines. Policy recommendations are made to improve the economic potential of underperforming systems.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableThe farming of the red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii and related species as raw material for the hydrocolloid carrageenan rapidly spread from the Philippines in the late 1960s to Indonesia, Tanzania, and other tropical countries around the world. Although numerous studies have documented positive socioeconomic impacts for seaweed farming, factors such as diseases and distance to export markets have led to an uneven development of the industry. Using standard budgeting techniques, this study adapted production and market data from a FAO-led global review of seaweed farming to develop comparative enterprise budgets for eight farming systems in six countries (Indonesia, the Philippines, Tanzania, India, Solomon Islands, and Mexico). Although the basic technology package is the same across countries, the study revealed large differences in the economic performance of systems due to wide variations in farm prices and the scale of operations. Although seaweed farming is a suitable activity for small-scale producers, a minimum of 2,000m of cultures lines are still necessary to ensure adequate economic returns. Greater farming plots may be needed if farm prices are well below the average farm prices paid in Indonesia and the Philippines. Policy recommendations are made to improve the economic potential of underperforming systems.Not Availabl