Determinants of Women’s Participation in Seaweed Farming in the Regency of Jeneponto, South Sulawesi, Indonesia1

Abstract

Background-Indonesia is now the world leading seaweed producer. In year 2008, Indonesia was producing 214,505.9 metric tons of dried seaweed but by 2012 it is tripled to 651,485.4 metric tons. There is an abundance of literature explaining the correlation (and causality) between exponential growths of seaweed industry in south Sulawesi and the government protection policies or the heavy subsidizations. Relationship between the availability of abundance cheap laborers consist of women, child labor (mobilization of factors endowment) and the impressive growth in seaweed farming is largely unexplored? The Objective of this paper is to identify the determinants of women's participation in seaweed farming in south Sulawesi. Data and Methodology-We spent seven days in Makassar city and travelled daily to five Kecamatan located at the coastal areas in the Regency of Jeneponto-where seaweed cultivation success were primarily driven by participation of women (by OXFAM, 2013). Various explanatory variables (introduced simultaneously) in a multivariate framework estimated their independent effect on women participation in seaweed farming. Results-the Logistic Regression Model shows that variables significance in explaining women participation in both paid (when she worked at her relative farms) and unpaid (working at her husband or brother's farm) at 10% significance level are AGE, WRKPER (number of family members in labor market) and HSYINC (Monthly Household Income including remittance).

Women in Malaysian Seaweed Industry: Motivations and Impacts

“…The elements of "power to" and "power within" in the empowerment concept are evident in this study where the informants in the study are socially and economically empowered by the new technological intervention of seaweed cultivation. The findings of this study are also in line with other previous literature where seaweed cultivation activity is claimed to contribute to self-development (Hurtado 2013;Msuya 2013;Eranza et al 2015). Moreover, local government interventions in seaweed cultivation also contributed to the development of local infrastructure, as well as local community development, particularly among women (Bindu 2010).…”

“…The success of seaweed cultivation in the Philippines garnered the interest of neighbouring countries like Indonesia and Malaysia with participation by the communities within these regions. In Indonesia, the seaweed production has increased from 214,505.9 metric tons of dried seaweed in 2008, and by 2012 it tripled to 651,485.4 metric tons, positioning itself as one of the leading seaweed exporters (Eranza et al 2015). Compared to Indonesia, Malaysia is perceived as one of the seaweed producers and expected to continue its production in sustainable ways.…”

“…Such initiatives could inculcate interest in women to continuously work in seaweed cultivation activities within their region and provide a chance to improve their livelihoods rather than being fully reliant on fishing activity only. Another study carried out by Eranza et al (2015) reported that women's participation in seaweed cultivation in the Regency of Jeneponto, South Sulawesi, Indonesia has brought positive impacts. Using the Logistic Regression Model, the study revealed that the variables which were significant in explaining women participation in both paid (when the women work at farms owned by relatives) and unpaid (working at their husbands' or brothers' farm) working environment at 10% significance level are AGE, WRKPER (number of family members in labour market) and HSYINC (monthly household income including remittance).…”

“…In the context of seaweed cultivation, the role of women is evident as they contribute to the success of seaweed production and cultivation, as well as social development. Their role has been widely discussed in previous literature with different geographical setting such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Tanzania and the Solomon Islands (Msuya 2006;2007;Bindu 2010;Cai, Hishamunda and Ridler 2013;Neish 2013;Hurtado 2013;Msuya 2013;Kronen 2013;Krishnan and Narayanakumar 2013;Robledo, Gasca-Leyva and Fraga 2013;Hossin et al 2013;Sraboni et al 2014;Ghosh and Ghosh 2014;Eranza et al 2015;Rosazman et al 2015).…”

Supporting Women’s Participation in Developing A Seaweed Supply Chain in Kiribati for Health and Nutrition

“…Given more than half of household expenditure goes towards imported foods [25], the high prevalence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies, and poor dietary diversity seen in this population (10% of people eating vegetables and 5% eating fruit) [10], understanding how to increase sustainable food production to create a healthier food environment is important to address diet-related chronic disease alongside broader ecological and socioeconomic dimensions of food choice. Our study focused on women given their role in i-Kiribati culture is predominantly in food procurement and preparation, as well as the significant role women play in seaweed harvesting and processing in other countries across the Indo-Pacific [26][27][28].…”