Radesma Hermawan, MSc student

Have you ever heard about seaweed farming practices in Bali? While Bali is well-known for its tourism, it also has a significant role in Indonesia’s seaweed production. Seaweed farming has been a way of life. Particularly in Jungut Batu Village on Nusa Lembongan Island, this sector had supported the lives of the local communities for decades before the massive expansion of the tourism sector. As part of my thesis, I explored the dynamic of seaweed farming in Jungut Batu, looking closely at how the sector has evolved over the years and how it coexists with the growing tourism activities. Using an ethnographic approach, my study provides a comprehensive understanding of these farming practices and their history, intricate relations to other sectors like tourism, and challenges and chances that local seaweed farmers face. The aim of my study was to understand the revival of seaweed farming after the collapse of tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the meaning of income from seaweed farming for families in Bali. My main research question was: “How does the dynamic of seaweed farming in Jungut Batu affect the livelihood of those working in the sector?”

Background
Nusa Lembongan has become one of the forefront seaweed producers in Indonesia. The history of seaweed farming on the island can be traced back to its emergence in the 80s. The island’s unique coastal conditions, with calm bay and tropical water temperatures, make it suitable for seaweed to grow well. For many years, seaweed farming has defined the life of the local communities. Starting in the 2000s, as demand for tourism gradually increased, many locals shifted from seaweed farming to tourism-related activities. This continuous growth of tourism resulted in seaweed farming practices gradually declining. By 2018, seaweed farming practices vanished entirely from the island, with tourism becoming the primary economic activity.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic that hit in 2020 halted tourism, causing a significant economic downturn. Villagers who had relied on tourism for their livelihoods suddenly lost their income. In response, they returned to seaweed farming to survive. On the one hand, the locals’ initiatives to revive seaweed farming during the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated their adaptability and the stability seaweed farming could offer amid uncertain times. On the other hand, the economic crisis that abruptly emerged due to the fall of tourism has warned the Balinese people about their over-reliance on tourism.

Problem Statement

As Covid-19 ended, the number of visitors to the island has increased again. The surge in tourism post-pandemic has raised concerns about its potential impacts on the livelihoods of those relying on seaweed farming. It also raises a question to what extent the emergence of tourism has affected seaweed farming practices. Understanding the dynamics of seaweed farming and its coexistence with tourism is critical to ensuring its sustainability and preserving the well-being of local farmers. Additionally, the diverse perceptions and attitudes of seaweed farmers may play a crucial role in shaping the overall direction of the two sectors. These differing views, interests, and aspirations may lead to tensions and conflicts, impacting the coexistence of seaweed farming and tourism in the village.

Study Location and Methodology
The research was conducted in Jungut Batu Village, a small village in Bali Province. To reach the village, one must take a 40-minute boat – ride from Bali’s mainland. The location was chosen due to its unique mixture of traditional seaweed farming practices and recent shifts towards tourism.

Figure 1: The entrance gate of Jungut Batu, saying “Welcome to the Seaweed Cultivation Site of Jungut Batu Village, a Bank Mandiri Fostered Partner” Source: Author’s own work, taken during fieldwork (2023)

With one month of immersive fieldwork in the village, I collected data through participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Following the same principles of ethnographic research, I tried to understand the practices of local seaweed farmers and engage in their everyday farming activities. I also interviewed 18 seaweed farmers along with a village official to collect more comprehensive information.

Figures 2 : A seaweed farmer family working on the land ., Source: Author’s own work, taken during fieldwork (2023)

Some Highlight Findings
In the results section, I explored seaweed farming practices from three different angles: its historical roots, the specific farming methods and perceptions of seaweed farmers, and the ways farmers navigate their lives in seaweed farming.

One of the standout findings is the  history of seaweed farming in the area, which was deeply influenced by the village’s geographical condition and tradition. The study revealed multiple narratives of how the sector began. The study also illustrated the fluctuating trends over the years that were influenced by various factors.

Another interesting finding is the persistent use of traditional farming methods influenced by Bali’s culture. For example, most participants still follow the Balinese calendar, the traditional calendar that blends Hindu and Balinese religious and cultural activities based on the phases of the moon. The calendar has its own monthly calculation. And for seaweed farmers, the calendar is used to predict the high and low tides based on lunar conditions, which helps them to set daily farming schedules. Local farmers also tend to determine farming locations based on their intuition and years of experience with limited technological advances.

“Because I have decades of experience, I know a bit better when the good and bad months for growing seaweed are and where the good and bad locations are. While my predictions are not always accurate, they are rarely wrong.”  – Informant, 2023.

Growing seaweed has its challenges. This includes threats from disease, environmental changes, economic turbulences, and predators. To tackle these, farmers develop creative strategies to protect their seaweed by sharing knowledge, collaborating, and supporting each other. This includes strategies to manage family income and divide tasks among laborers.

Figure 3: a farmer showed how the young seaweed looked like, Source: Author’s own work, taken during fieldwork (2023)

Moreover, this study shows how to understand seaweed farming as a dynamic process that consists of interwoven social and spatial relations that change over time, with the emergence of tourism adding another layer to its dynamic.

If you are interested in getting to know more about this research, you can read the full thesis here

Reference: Hermawan, R. S. (2024). Livelihood diversification? Perspectives on place and space: An exploration of seaweed farming practices in Jungut Batu, Bali (Master’s thesis). Wageningen University and Research.