This study aims to determine the extent to which the sustainability of seaweed utilization as an economic
resource in Raijua District has an impact on the welfare of the community in Raijua District, Sabu Raijua
Regency. The method used in this study is qualitative which is used to determine the general description of
the situation and conditions of seaweed workers and the conditions for the sustainability of seaweed
utilization in order to support the community's economy. The sustainability of seaweed cultivation efforts in
Raijua District is influenced by various interrelated factors, both short and long term. These factors include;
Environmental Conditions, Location Selection, Technology and Cultivation Methods, Management and Skills,
Markets and Prices, Government Policies, Education and Training, Cooperation and Networks. Meanwhile, in
terms of cultivation analysis, Social Aspects, Economic Aspects, and Environmental Aspects have a significant
impact on economic growth and community welfare.
Perairaan Kabupaten Sabu Raijua menyimpan beragam jenis rumput laut yang memiliki ratusan
manfaat yang dibutuhkan oleh industri, baik pangan, farmasi, kosmetik, pakan, pupuk, kertas
hingga bioenergi. (Syahbuddin & Habibah, 2021). Salah satu adalah budidaya perairan yang
berkembang dewasa ini adalah budidaya rumput laut (seaweed culture) terutama budidaya
rumput laut eucheuma cottonii. Rumput laut jenis ini merupakan spesies alga merah penghasil
keragenan dan memiliki banyak peranan penting bagi manusia sejak 2.700 SM rumput laut telah
dimanfaatkan sebagai bahan pangan manusia. Salah satu daerah yang memiliki potensi untuk
mengembangkan usaha tani rumput laut eucheuma cottonii adalah Kabupaten Sabu Raijua di
Nusa Tenggara Timur. Daerah ini merupakan wilayah yang dikelilingi oleh lautan dengan
potensi laut yangbisa di katakan belumdioptimalkan dengan baik. Perairan di Sabu Raijua sangat
bersih dan jauh dari bahan-bahan pencemar sehingga sangat potensial digunakan untuk budidaya
usahatani rumput laut.
Penelitian ini akan berfokus untuk mengetahui sejauh mana keberlanjutan pemanfaatan rumput
laut sebagai sumber daya ekonomi di kecamatan Raijua berdampak untuk kesejateraan
masyarakat. Namun meskipun memiliki potensi yang besar, pemanfaatan usaha budidaya rumput
laut di wilayah ini belum sepenuhnya optimal dan masih dihadapkan pada berbagai tantangan,
seperti masalah keberlanjutan ekonomi, sosial, dan lingkungan. Hal ini disebabkan oleh adanya
pengelolaan rumput laut yang tidak berkelanjutan sehingga mengakibatkan penurunan produksi,
degradasi lingkungan, dan konflik antar pemangku kepentingan.
Dengan demikian, urgensi dari judul penelitian ini adalah untuk menyoroti pentingnya
memahami dan mengelola usaha budidaya rumput laut secara berkelanjutan sebagai
sumberekonomi di wilayah Kecamatan Raijua, Kabupaten Sabu Raijua
The waters of Sabu Raijua Regency contain various types of seaweed that have hundreds of benefits
needed by industry, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, feed, fertilizers, paper and
bioenergy. (Syahbuddin & Habibah, 2021). One of the aquaculture that is developing today is
seaweed culture, especially eucheuma cottonii seaweed cultivation. This type of seaweed is a
species of red algae that produces carrageenan and has many important roles for humans since
2,700 BC. Seaweed has been used as a human food ingredient. One area that has the potential to
develop eucheuma cottonii seaweed farming is Sabu Raijua Regency in East Nusa Tenggara. This
area is an area surrounded by the ocean with marine potential that can be said to have not been
optimized properly. The waters in Sabu Raijua are very clean and far from pollutants so that they
have great potential for use in seaweed farming.
This study will focus on determining the extent to which the sustainability of seaweed utilization as
an economic resource in Raijua sub-district has an impact on community welfare. However, despite
its great potential, the utilization of seaweed cultivation in this area has not been fully optimized
and is still faced with various challenges, such as economic, social, and environmental sustainability
issues. This is due to the unsustainable management of seaweed, resulting in decreased production,
environmental degradation, and conflict between stakeholders.
Thus, the urgency of the title of this study is to highlight the importance of understanding and
managing sustainable seaweed cultivation as an economic resource in Raijua Sub-district, Sabu
Raijua Regency
Seaweed is one of the marine plants classified as benthic macroalgae that live attached to the
bottom of the waters. Generally, seaweed can be found in many interdal areas or brackish waters
with sufficient sunlight. Seaweed is algae that lives in the sea and is classified in the thallophyta
division. Seaweed is a low-level plant, because seaweed has the characteristic of not being able to
be distinguished between the roots, stems, and leaves.
All parts of seaweed are called thallus, where the shape of seaweed thallus varies, some are round
like a tube, flat, flat, round, and so on. Seaweed obtains or absorbs its food through the cells found in
the thallus. Nutrients will be carried by the water current that hits the seaweed and then absorbed,
so that the seaweed can grow and reproduce. (Gumilar, 2021).
Seaweed cultivation is one type of cultivation that has the potential to be developed in the fisheries
sector. Seaweed cultivation has an important role in efforts to increase fisheries production to meet
food and nutritional needs and meet market needs both domestically and abroad, expand
employment opportunities, increase income and welfare of fishermen and fish farmers and
maintain the sustainability of aquatic biological resources.
According to (Ramadhan, 2019) in the book Seaweed Cultivation, there are several stages in
seaweed cultivation, namely:
Location selection: Choose a location with calm water characteristics with a water depth of less
than 70 cm when the sea water recedes, and no more than 200 cm when the sea water rises, make
sure the location you choose is protected from strong sea winds, the location used must be in a
muddy and slightly sandy place and the irrigation channels at the location must be smooth.
Seaweed cultivation methods:
1) The basic method is a seaweed cultivation method that is carried out using seaweed seeds that
are tied and spread on the bottom of the waters. This basic method can also be done by spreading
seeds that are tied around coral rocks.
2) The Floating Method is one of the engineering approaches of the off-bottom method in the
middle of the sea. If you want to use this method, then you must use a buoy on the surface of the
sea. There are two types of floating methods that you can try, namely the floating net method and
the floating rope method.
3) The off-bottom method is a type of cultivation that is carried out by tying seeds to nylon ropes.
This method is also divided into several types, ranging from the single off-bottom method, the off-
bottom net, and the off-bottom net in the form of a tube.
Sustainability of Seaweed Cultivation Business
Sustainability is a concept that emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance in meeting
current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In
an environmental context, sustainability means using natural resources wisely, maintaining
biodiversity, and minimizing negative impacts on the environment, so that ecosystems can continue
to function and support life in the future. Sustainability is often broken down into three important
aspects, namely: social, economic and environmental
Regional economics is a branch of economics that studies economic behavior at a more local or
regional geographic level, covering a particular geographic area such as a state, province, district, or
city. This definition of regional economics examines how economic, social, and environmental
factors interact in the specific context of a particular region. In regional economics, the focus is
often on the analysis and development of relevant economic policies to increase economic growth,
create jobs, reduce poverty, and improve the welfare of the people in the region. (Sjafrizal, 2012).
Theory of Economic Development
Economic Development Is an effort to improve the standard of living of a nation which is often
measured by the high or low real income per capita. So the goal of economic development in
addition to increasing real national income is also to increase productivity. (Suparmoko, 2007).
According to Sukirno, the definition of economic development is defined as a process that causes
the real per capita income of a society to increase in the long term. Economic development means
that there is a continuous development process that is intended to add and improve everything to
be better. The existence of this development process is expected to increase the real income of the
community for the long term.
Environmental Economics Theory
Environmental economics is an economic science that specifically studies human behavior in
maintaining or improving environmental functions. Environmental economics is also a unity of
space with all objects, power, conditions and living things (including humans and their behavior)
that affect the sustainability of life and the welfare of humans and other living things. (Murni, 2016).
Using this environmental economic theory can help in analyzing the environmental impacts of
seaweed farming, including the effects on marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and water quality. This
analysis can provide insight into how such economic activities can be carried out with minimal
damage to the environment.
Sustainability Theory (Sustainable Development Goals)
Sustainable utilization is a concept that includes the use of natural and human resources with the
aim of optimizing the benefits of natural and human resources, as well as harmonizing natural
resources with humans in development. This concept includes three aspects of understanding:
economic sustainability, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability. Sustainable
utilization aims to meet the needs of the current generation without endangering the health and
balance of the environment for future generations. (Ciptadi, 2023).
Therefore, sustainable economic development is a social foundation for life, such as food, health,
education, employment and income, peace and justice, political rights, social equality, gender
equality, housing, energy, water and social networks. There is a social foundation on which
human life takes place and determines the quality of life.
4. Social Capital Theory
According to Baker, social capital is a resource obtained by its actors through a specific social
structure and then used to pursue its interests; this social capital is created through changes in the
relationships between actors. Meanwhile, Schiff defines social capital as a set of elements of a social
structure that influences relations between humans and at the same time as input or arguments for
production functions and/or benefits (utility). Through a series of these understandings, finally
there is a famous aphorism that states that social capital is not a matter of what you know, but who
you know. On this basis, social capital can refer to norms or networks that allow people to take
collective action.
5. Institutional Theory
Trust among individuals then becomes trust among strangers and trust in broader social
institutions; trust eventually becomes a set of shared values, virtues, and expectations across a
society as a whole. Without these interactions, trust decays; this decay begins to manifest itself as
serious social problems. The concept of social capital suggests that building and rebuilding
communities and trust requires face-to-face encounters. There is strong evidence that societies
with large stocks of social capital are more likely to benefit from lower crime rates, better health,
higher educational attainment, and faster economic growth. There are downsides, too. Groups and
organizations with high levels of social capital have the means (and sometimes the motive) to
exclude and subordinate others. (Vipriyanti, 2018) Institutional theory explains how formal and
informal rules and norms influence the behavior of individuals and organizations.
Empirical Study
This type of research is qualitative research by conducting case study activities to obtain various
data and information related to the problems to be discussed. So this study aims to find and collect
data from seaweed workers, the government in Raijua District, seaweed entrepreneurs and marine
environmental experts, with the aim of knowing the extent to which the sustainability of seaweed
cultivation efforts as a source of regional economy in Raijua District has been achieved.
Adi Putra, G., & Zulfia Zahro, H. (2019). Desain Partisipasi Dalam ruang Publik, Ruang komunal
Sosial Dalam Kampung Heritage Tawangsari Sebagai Salah Satu Bentuk Aplikasi Unsur
Keberlanjutan Sosial. Pawon: Jurnal Arsitektur, 3(02), 25–36.
https://doi.org/10.36040/pawon.v3i02.874
Ask, K., & Azanza, R. V. (2002). Pengaruh metode budidaya terhadap pertumbuhan dan produksi
rumput laut dalam berbagai kondisi lingkungan.
Barbier, E. B., Hacker, S. D., Kennedy, C., Koch, E. W., Stier, A. C., & Silliman, B. R. (2019). Nilai
layanan ekosistem pesisir: Tinjauan bukti. Ekonomi Ekologis, 158, 192-208.
Baird, A. H., Marshall, P. A., & Jones, R. E. (2020). Akuakultur berkelanjutan: Isu-isu lingkungan dan
sosial. Penelitian Akuakultur, 51(3), 1001-1015.
BI. (2020). Kajian Ekonomi dan Keuangan Regional: LAPORAN NUSANTARA (Vol. 9).
Bungin, B. (2008). Penelitian Kualitatif: Komunikasi, Ekonomi, Kebijakan Publik, dan sosial lainnya.
Boko, M. (2020). Program pelatihan untuk produktivitas pertanian: Dampak pada kinerja petani
di daerah pesisir.
Cahyandito, M. F. (2020). Pembangunan Berkelanjutan, Ekonomi dan Ekologi, Sustainability
Communication dan Sustainability Reporting. Ssrn, September 2006, 1–14.
Ciptadi, G. (2023). Manajemen Lingkungan dan Keberlanjutan Pembangunan.
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Penelitian Kualitatif & Desain Riset.
Dinas Perikanan dan Kelauatan Kabupaten Buleleng. (2019). 8 Jenis-jenis Rumput Laut di Indonesia.
Dkpp.Bulelengkab. https://dkpp.bulelengkab.go.id/informasi/detail/artikel/8-jenis-jenis-
rumput-laut-di-indonesia-53
Elina, M. (2023). Buku Ajar Pengantar Ekonomi Pembangunan Penerbit Cv.Eureka Media Aksara.
Endang Sulistyaningsih dan Irenius Dwinanto Bimo. (2015). Seri Sustainability 001 Manajemen
Keberlanjutan Konsep Dasar.
Fletcher, S., & McHugh, J. (2019). Meningkatkan ketahanan komunitas pesisir melalui pengelolaan
sumber daya laut yang berkelanjutan. Manajemen Laut dan Pesisir, 177, 96-104.
Gumilar, F. T. A. & S. I. (2021). Rumput Laut.
Hawkins, J. P., Roberts, C. M., & Hockings, M. (2020). Manajemen perikanan berkelanjutan di dunia
yang berubah. Ikan dan Perikanan, 21(1), 1-23.
Hendrawati, T. Y. (2020). PENGOLAHAN RUMPUT LAUT DAN KELAYAKAN INDUSTRINYA.
Kumar, A., Bansal, S., & Das, D. (2022). Peran budidaya rumput laut dalam mengurangi perubahan
iklim: Sebuah tinjauan. Buletin Pencemaran Laut, 182, 113795.
Madji, S., Engka, D. S. M., & Sumual, J. I. (2019). Analisis Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi
Pendapatan Petani Rumput Laut Di Desa Nain Kecamatan Wori Kabupaten Minahasa Utara.
Jurnal EMBA, 7(3), 3998–4006.
Melkisedek Habitah, et al. (2022). Analisis Pendapatan Budidaya Rumput Laut Di Desa Kaliuda
Kecamatan Pahunga Lodu Kabupaten Sumba Timur. Jurnal Education and Development, 10(1),
201–206.
Mulyani, E. (2022). Ekonomi Pembagunan. In Angewandte Chemie International Edition (Vol. 6,
Issue 11).
Murni, A. (2016). Ekonomi Makro. PT Refrika Aditama.
Mazzola, A., Maggi, E., & Vizzini, S. (2021). Potensi penyerapan karbon dari lamun dan makroalga:
Sebuah tinjauan. Kebijakan dan Ilmu Lingkungan, 118, 90-101.
Pilo, H. P. (2022). Eucheuma cottonii). XI(1).
Raco. (2022). METODE PENELlTlAN KUALlTATlF JENIS, KARAKTERISTIK, DAN KEUNGGULANNYA.
PT Grasindo, 146. https://osf.io/mfzuj/
Dinas Perikanan dan Kelautan Kabupaten Sabu Raijua. (2023). Perkembangan rumput laut di
wilayah kabupaten sabu raijua.
Ramadhan, F. (2019). Budidaya Rumput Laut. Damar Media.
Salim, E. (2021). Pembangunan Berkelanjugan …. Pembangunan Berkelanjutan.
https://madaniberkelanjutan.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Emil-Salim.pdf
Santoso, T. (2020). Memahami Modal Sosial. In Memahami Modal Sosial.
http://repository.petra.ac.id/18928/
Sjafrizal. (2012). Ekonomi Wilayah dan Perkotaan.
Sugiarto. (2020). PENGOLAHAN HASIL SAMPING PRODUK PERIKANAN DAN RUMPUT LAUT. 4(1), 1–
23.
sugiyono. (2019). prof. dr. sugiyono, metode penelitian kuantitatif kualitatif dan r&d. intro
( PDFDrive ).pdf. In Bandung Alf (p. 143).
Sumaryadi. (2020). PARADIGMA METODE PENELITIAN KUALITATIF.
Suparmoko. (2007). Ekonomi Pembangunan. LIBERTY.
Syahbuddin, S., & Habibah, H. (2021). Budidaya Rumput Laut dalam Meningkatkan Pendapatan
Ekonomi Masyarakat (Studi Kasus di Desa Laju Kecamatan Langgudu Kabupaten Bima). Jurnal
Pendidikan Ips, 11(2), 101–106. https://doi.org/10.37630/jpi.v11i2.513
Tardiyana, A. D. (2021). Arsitektur , Material dan Keberlanjutan Lingkungan.
Vipriyanti, N. U. (2018). Teori dan Aplikasi Ekonomi Kelembagaan Bagi Perencana Pembangunan.
Teori Dan Aplikasi Ekonomi Kelembagaan Bagi Perencana Pembangunan, 1–228.
