The availability of raw materials for Indonesian seaweed has the potential to meet the needs of processed seaweed products for various industries in the world including Europe, both food and non-food. Kupang village which produces seaweed, milkfish and shrimp has red seaweed as commodity Gracilaria Sp. as a village commodity. Red seaweed is known to have benefits as a thickener and gelling agent for the production of agar, collagen, carrageenan and alginate for the industrial sector / food and beverage sector.
Managing Director II of LPEI/Indonesia Eximbank, Maqin U. Norhadi in his speech said that this potential will be developed through the first Seaweed Foreign Exchange Village in Indonesia. Seaweed Foreign Exchange Village, located in Sumber Mulyo Cooperative 5758, Kupang Village, Jabon District, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java, is the 27th foreign exchange village fostered and inaugurated by LPEI. Thus, as many as 2,894 farmers/weavers/craftsmen have benefited from this Foreign Exchange Village Program. Strategic area by considering geographical aspects, tropical climate and located in shallow waters, making seaweed cultivation a prima donna commodity for the local community. The average production of seaweed reaches 10,113 tons per year or 1.4% of the total seaweed production in East Java. "An integrated and integrated foreign exchange village to build and increase the capacity (capacity building) of seaweed farmers, members and administrators of the Sumber Mulyo Cooperative," said Maqin
