A Model for Community-Based Seaweed Cultivation in South-west Maluku, Indonesia: Strengthening Coastal Livelihoods

Institutional development plays a vital role in advancing the success and sustainability of community-based seaweed farming, particularly in Southeast Maluku, Indonesia. This study seeks to design a comprehensive institutional model tailored to the unique needs of seaweed farming communities in the region. The model emphasizes four key components: the division of tasks among stakeholders, effective and inclusive decision-making processes, transparent and accountable financial management systems, and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. These elements are designed to strengthen institutional capacity and foster greater collaboration among farmers. The central hypothesis of this study is that by improving institutional structures, farmers will experience enhanced cooperation, increased bargaining power within the seaweed supply chain, and improved sustainability of their cultivation practices. A well-structured institution can support fairer market access, equitable profit distribution, and collective resilience to economic and environmental challenges. In turn, these improvements are expected to lead to more stable and long-term farming practices. The proposed institutional model not only aims to increase the economic viability of seaweed farming but also to promote social cohesion and environmental stewardship within coastal communities. The study aspires to enhance the overall welfare of seaweed farmers by ensuring that institutional arrangements are both participatory and adaptive to local contexts. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader discourse on institutional design in small-scale agriculture and aquaculture. It offers a replicable model that can be adapted for similar community-based farming initiatives in other coastal and rural regions, both within Indonesia and beyond.