By: I Komang Dianto (Local Facilitator of Aquaculture Improvement Program, WWF-Indonesia)

For the past six months, seaweed cultivation in Sumber Pao Hamlet, Sumberkima Village, Gerokgak Sub-district, Buleleng, Bali has been in suspended animation. Sari Laut, the name of this group of cultivators, had to swallow due to the damage to the seaweed cultivated. This damage was triggered by many pest and disease attacks, especially on newly planted seedlings. Starting from being eaten by fish, to contracting the disease ice-ice.

At present, all that remains is a stretch of ris rope that was previously used to tie seaweed seedlings. Seaweed cultivation is slowly being forgotten. Members of the Sari Laut group are dwindling, with some opting to turn to fishing to make ends meet.

In an effort to restore the glory of seaweed cultivation in Sumberkima, WWF-Indonesia collaborated with the local organization Peduli Alam dan Lingkungan (PILANG) in providing assistance to the Aquaculture Improvement program (AIP). AIP is a program to improve seaweed cultivation towards responsible practices based on the principles of Better Management Ppractices (BMP).

The improvement process based on BMP not only includes technical cultivation, but also internal strengthening of the group organization. One of the group institutional strengthening actions is through group organizational management training, both leadership and administrative aspects.

On that day (05/02/2017), the remaining 14 members of the Sari Laut group attended the training at the Sari Laut Group Secretariat Building. The training involved Buleleng Regency Field Agricultural Extension Officers (PPLs), the Sanggalangit Fish Seed Market, and the Sumberkima Village Government (Pemdes).

Through the training material presented, Ni Made Indrawati, PILANG Coordinator, invited farmers to learn about leadership management in an effort to strengthen and develop group organizations. Cultivators were also equipped with group administrative and financial management skills.

"The price of our seaweed has gone from Rp.9000/kg to Rp.4000/kg, it must be improved and we must not let bad weather and crop failure leave us with no income," said one of the farmers. This opportunity was also utilized by Sari Laut group members to convey not only obstacles, but also their hopes.

The active discussion at the training that day also included the creation of a slogan for the Sari Laut group. "We are GREAT! Thrifty, Energetic, Resurgent, Active, and Responsible!" the cultivators exclaimed, memorizing their new slogan.

"Hopefully the Sari Laut group can rise quickly, in accordance with its HEBAT spirit," said Buleleng District PPL Coordinator, Maria Niken, at the end of the event. "Congratulations on organizing the group well, working together to achieve common goals," she added.

Through this training, each cultivator is expected to be able to take responsibility according to their respective duties. Both responsible in terms of leadership, and responsible in terms of financial administration. Being GREAT, for the Sari Laut group, began again that day.