Central Buton potential to cultivate lobster, anchovy, seaweed: Minister

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Central Buton District, Southeast Sulawesi, had the potential to develop three high-value marine commodities, namely lobster, anchovy, and seaweed, as regional superior products, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Minister Teten Masduki assessed.

"I have looked around and there are three (commodities) which I am interested in. The first one is anchovy, then lobster which can earn Rp1 billion a year, and also seaweed. These (products) have great potential to be developed," he said during the Dialogue with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Actors in Central Buton District, as quoted from a statement here on Sunday.

Indonesia needs to adopt the strategies of other countries in developing superior commodities, for instance Norway, whose revenue is dominated by salmon trade, or New Zealand, which focuses on generating cattle farming products, including meat and milk, he continued.

"We must adopt from them (Norway and New Zealand) since they focus on (developing their) domestic specialties. In addition, we have to support (our own superior commodities) by conducting researches and innovations since Indonesia has different conditions (from Norway and New Zealand), thus it (the adopted strategy) must be adjusted," the minister stated.

Furthermore, he also continued that the Nusantara Nature Tourism Center Service Cooperative (KOPISETARA) could be a partner in developing sustainable natural tourism in the district since it had various natural attractions.

There are 53 tourism destinations in seven sub-districts of Central Buton District, namely three historical tourism locations, 15 marine tourism sites, 10 cultural tourism destinations, and 25 nature tourism attractions – including cave diving locations which have become international sports tourism destinations.

Masduki noted that not all of the 53 tourism destinations had been developed.

"Natural tourism attractions need to be conserved to ensure their sustainability, thus a strategic partnership with Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry is very important to develop the marine tourism. Local governments are also expected to establish regional collaboration in tourism sector with KOPISETARA," he said.

Baca juga: Menkop UKM Teten sebut Buton Tengah bisa kembangkan lobster, teri, dan rumput laut