Digital application helps optimizing the harvest production of East Sumba’s seaweed farmers

Diana Mahalebu, a-38-year-old mother of five, is now actively using her smartphone to help recording her seaweed farming production in East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Every day, she logs in to the application and fill in the information about the cultivation, production and harvest. She also uses the application as reminder on what list of activities that she needs to do.

The application was developed by the ILO’s Promoting Micro and Small Enterprises through Entrepreneurial Access to Financial Services Project Phase 2 (Promise II Impact) in collaboration with PT Telkom Indonesia through its agrobusiness platform named Agree. The application was introduced and socialized to 200 seaweed farmers last May 2023 who had undertaken ILO’s Promise II Impact’s financial literacy and entrepreneurship training programmes.

I am now more motivated with my newly learnt financial skills and with the new digital application that helps me farming better.

Diana Mahalebu, a seaweed farmer 

The farmers’ digital transition was also assisted by Agree’s field assistant. “The field assistant helps me filling in the information. I am now capable of using the application myself and it really helps me to do my work better and to track my seaweed production,” said Diana.

Djauhari Sitorus, ILO’s Promise II Impact Programme Manager, said that the application also connects the farmers with PT Algae Sumba Timur Lestari (PT ASTIL), regional-owned enterprise of East Sumba. “The Agree Upstream-Downstream Traceability system has provided an assistance in monitoring and recording every stage of seaweed cultivation, such as maintenance, processing and product distribution. The application has also opened the opportunity to connect between farmers, farmers and regulators and farmers with buyers.”

“We are pleased with our joint collaboration with the ILO in the utilization of digital application for seaweed farmers. The information generated by the application is really beneficial for the company to do a product projection. This is also favourable for farmers as they can avoid middlemen and have easier access to banking,” said Ayi Nurmalaela, Director of PT ASTIL.

Not only being more digitalized, but Diana also now keeps a close eye on her family’s finance. Using her bookkeeping skills she learnt from the training programmes, she carefully records her different sources of income – seaweed farming and small business activities – and separates her business and household expenses.

© Gita Lingga/ILO

“I have a bank account now. By simply recording my incomes and expenses, I can start saving now. My saving has reached IDR 3 million (USD 188) and I will continue to save as the saving can be very helpful during a difficult time,” she said, proudly.

She knew well about losing her income when her seaweed farm was ruined by pests two years ago. She lost all her farm and went bankrupt. “I did not have any saving or any emergency funding to help me through the tough time. Yet, I refuse to give up as a seaweed farming is my whole life and I grow up helping my parents attending our seaweed farm,” told Diana.

The application has also opened the opportunity to connect between farmers, farmers and regulators and farmers with buyers.

Djauhari Sitorus, ILO’s Promise II Impact Programme Manager 

She tried to rebuild her seaweed farm, expanding it little by little. Her hard work has paid off. To date, her production has reached 1.5 to 2 tonnes of Eucheuma Cottonii and 80 kilograms of Kappaphycus Striatum (Sakol) seaweeds for each harvesting time.

“I am now more motivated with my newly learnt financial skills and with the new digital application that helps me farming better. My future plan is to continue expanding my farm and hopefully I can add an additional 80 ropes of Eucheuma Cottonii seaweeds that will not only increase my harvest production but also my income to support my family,” she stated.

Diana is also pleased her oldest son who has already graduated from senior high school is now following her step to become a seaweed farmer. “My son also participated in the training programmes and has helped me with our family’s financial management so that all my children can have a better future.”