Innovation, product development and good knowledge on seaweed market trends are keys areas to be competitive in the global market. Fast changing buyers and consumers requirements for seaweed products have posed threats as well as opportunities for the Indonesian seaweed industry. TSIN tries to develop synergies between R&D seaweed centres, connecting researchers with industry players and bringing innovation to the seaweed community.
Tropical Seaweed Innovation Network (TSIN) is virtual web base networking among R&D centres in Indonesia for Tropical Seaweed.
TSIN is part of SECO (Swiss) funded SMART-Fish Programme which is jointly implemented by MMAF and UNIDO to improve competitiveness of the Indonesian seaweed industry.
TSIN is virtual platform for researchers and experts in seaweed to work together, establish synergies and collaboration in research and development for seaweed and seaweed products and bring innovation to the business communities.
The programme runs from 2014-2019 closely work with various partners along the seaweed value chains including farmers, traders, co-operatives, processors and exporters. In the seaweed value chain the programme covers 21 districts n 8 provinces throughout Indonesia.
Seaweeds is one of Indonesia’s potential marine commodities that contribute to the national revenue and income for the local communities. In the last few years, Indonesia’s seaweed production ranked the highest in aquaculture compared to the production of shrimp, grouper, snapper, carp, milkfish, tilapia and catfish (According to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries). As one of the largest seaweeds producers in the world, Indonesia plays an important role in seaweeds chain; however in terms of seaweeds research, development and innovations, Indonesia somewhat left behind other countries. Investments in technology, human resources as well as collaboration/networking among different institutes/universities/ministries are still lacking. There are a lot of research and development (R&D) carried by different institutions in seaweed value chain and the results are important to improve seaweeds innovation in Indonesia.
Public efforts in seaweed Research & Development and Innovation in Indonesia are scattered across a wide range of research institutes and universities, with qualified staff, but usually not fully dedicated to seaweed. While collaborations between institutions exist, it would be beneficial to increase the interactions between these institutions to combine expertise and equipment under a more global strategy.
In parallel, it appears that interactions of public research with the industry are limited and focused mostly on dissemination/transfer. An earlier involvement of industry partners in the research strategy would be beneficial to develop market-driven R&D and Innovation.
To address this, TSIN is established with full support from the government in particular the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs, The Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, the Ministry of Industry etc.
TSIN, with a broad governance, should be created to streamline and implement the national seaweed strategy, and to allow nation-wide coordination of research activities. Beyond its strategic and organisational role, it would also help reaching a critical mass to positively impact economic development.
Discuss the establishment of Seaweed Innovation Centre/Network. During the discussion two agreement reached: To establish virtual (WA group) of TSIC; SMART-Fish to carry out mapping of R&D seaweed centres in Indonesia
The mapping of the major Seaweed R&D centres was carried from Sept 2017-March 2018 including full report. Prepared by the local consultant (Dr. Ratih Pangestuti of LON LIPI
Round Table Dialogue was jointly organized with ASTRULI by inviting all the stakeholders on 17 October 2018. Representative from the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs offered to coordinate further discussion on the establishment of TSIN
Further discuss the establishment of TSIN. One of the decision/agreement is that the TSIN is suggested to be managed under the Director General of Innovation the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education. Following this meeting the Deputy for Natural Resources and Services of the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs send official letter to the DG Innovation.
Discussion was held between UNIDO/SMART-Fish and the DG of Innovation and the Deputy of Natural Resources and Services on 7 Dec 2018.
The DG of Innovation organized Focus Group Discussion on TSIN in the University of Hasanudin, Makassar on 14 December, 2018 attended by representatives of relevant ministries, Centre of Excellence of Seaweed of the University, local government agencies.
The Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs organized round table meeting on 28 January 2019 to discuss the draft structure of web base TSIN. Larger coordination meeting was held on 1 February 2019 to gather inputs on TSIN from all stakeholders.
Synergies
Provide platform for better coordination and synergies among R&D centres
Market Place
Market place for R&D centres and their experts to show case their products, services and expertise or competencies to the public in particular to industry
Direct Access
Provide platform for industry players and public to get direct access to R&D centres, their experts and services
Opportunities
Provide opportunities for the up-scaling and commercialization of the innovative products developed by the centres
Collaboration
Provide opportunities for collaboration with international organization
Save Resources
Avoid duplication, overlapping among R&D centres hence save resources.
Better Plan
Better R&D Institution programme and planning which based on industry needs
