DISPLAY......High
value seaweed on display during the exhibition include Kappaphycus alverazii,
Euchema spinosom species with University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Professor, Dr.
Suhaimi Mohd Yasir.
By : M.IZHAM B. HASHIM
THE MALAYSIAN seaweed
industry is poised to produce 150,000 metric tonnes of high quality processed
seaweed worth RM 1.45 billion by the year 2020.
Sabah is Malaysia's only
seaweed-producing state, and is expected to boost production to 35,000 tonnes
this year from 23,940 tonnes in 2012 to meet surging global demand for the
product.
University Malaysia Sabah
(UMS) Professor Dr. Suhaimi Mohd Yasir said seaweed farming is a high-growth
sector with tremendous potential, as processed seaweed is gaining widespread
use as additives in food industries, cosmetics, health products,
pharmaceuticals, horticulture and biofuels.
Semporna is the country's
top seaweed producing district under the National Key Economic Area(NKEA). In
2012, Sabah dominated the seaweed industry, earning RM 66 million. According to
industry sources, at least 8,000 hectares (19,2000 acres ) has been dedicated
to seaweed farming across the Sabah east coast, mostly of the Kappaphycus
alverazii with Euchema spinosom species.
With the aim of maximising
production, an additional 3,000 hectares has been zoned for development this
year under the seaweed mini-estate project, which would bring to a total of
11,000 hectares zoned for seaweed cultivation.
In addition, another 40,000
hectares were also identified for the sector, which is expected to generate
150,000 tonnes of seaweed annually.
Suhaimi added that while
seaweed farming is traditionally a highly labor-intensive economic activity,
efforts are underway to introduce a more organised and integrated system which
would make the industry more efficient in ensuring consistent industrial
production of high quality seaweed produce.
Dr Suhaimi was speaking at
the Bio-Borneo Conference 2013, which gathers experts from throughout the world
to focus on biotechnology development and innovation potential of Sabah and
Sarawak through Bioeconomy Transformation Program(BTP )projects envisioned by
the government.
"It will no longer be
small-scale, we're talking about opening 50,000 to 100,000 hectares which would
generate an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 tonnes annually" he said
Acording to Suhaimi, the
plan involves clustering farms as sea-weed producing estates and moving the
industry towards downstream product development
"By establishing
dedicated seaweed production farms, this would make operations more
labor-efficient, centralised, organised and productive.Furthermore, a
centralised system also allows the adoption of new technology and best
management practices," he added.
UMS has modernised seaweed
farming technology by introducing a more systematic model which incorporates
the use of specially designed seaweed-based rope, application of seaweed
fertilisers, and seeding pin tables.
All four innovative
inventions were designed and developed by the team of researchers led by Prof
Madya Dr. Suhaimi Mohd Yasir.
In terms of downstream
product development, seaweeds are mostly cultivated for Carrageenan, a powdery
seaweed extract which is highly valued in the food industry for its thickening,
stabilizing and gelling properties.
As a food additive, research
showed that carrageenan forms the firmest gels which combines mixed ingredients
together whilst maintaining a smooth, consistent smooth texture.
It is commonly used in dairy
foods to keep ice-creams and yoghurt creamy; meat products to restore juiciness
and tenderness and a substitute for gelatin and pectin.
"The future of the
industry is certain, fueled by rising demand for processed seaweed, due to its
growing significance in various industries throughout the world" Dr.
Suhaimi said.
In terms of downstream
product development, Dr Suhaimi said that UMS have established pilot plants in
Tawau to process seaweed products into high value products like bio plastics,
bio-capsules, and blending powder(carrageenan). (Insight Sabah)
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