Go Global, Pertamina EP Tambun Field Fostered Cooperative Starts Sending Products to Japan
Karawang, December 11, 2021 – It has been almost two years since the COVID-19 pandemic has hit Indonesia. The MSME sector is among the most affected, but not for the Mina Agar Makmur Cooperative, a fostered partner of Pertamina EP Tambun Field which is included in Zone 7 Regional Java Subholding Upstream. In fact, The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the enthusiasm of the cooperative’s management and members to increase production.
"Alhamdulillah, the COVID-19 pandemic has no effect on us. Production of dried seaweed and processed seaweed products remains stable, only in the beginning of COVID-19 and the PSBB period it has decreased slightly due to worker restrictions," said Usup Supriatna, Head of the Mina Agar Makmur Cooperative.
Usup said the demand for dried seaweed and seaweed jelly produced by the Mina Agar Makmur Cooperative is quite high. Consumers are interested in the quality of dried seaweed and processed seaweed products produced by this Cooperative. "There was a request for processed seaweed of 1 ton per month to India, but we refused. We can't afford to supply that much. We have also just tried to supply it to Japan through a third party, and that's only 15 kg,” he said.
Usup said the Cooperative sells dried seaweed to a seaweed processing company in Jakarta. Every month about 100 tons are sent. “On average, every year we sell 1,000-1,200 tons. Even if we produce more than 1,200 tons, the company is ready to accommodate it,” he said.
The selling price of seaweed from the Mina Agar Makmur Cooperative is IDR 5,000 per kilogram. Assuming production of 1,200 tons per year, this Cooperative makes a profit of around IDR 6 billion. "That does not include the turnover from processing seaweed jelly," said Usup.
In addition to selling dried seaweed, through the Anugerah Pertiwi Group which is assisted by the Mina Agar Makmur Cooperative, gelatin is produced from seaweed. There are two products sold by the Anugerah Pertiwi Group, which are Agar Sticks and Crystal Noodles. The manufacture and processing of these two products are carried out in Pisangsambo Village, Tirtajaya District, Karawang Regency.
The facility for processing seaweed gelatin from the Anugerah Pertiwi Group is quite complete. Besides having several freezer units, there is also a place for drying seaweed, and processing spice mixtures for flavoring crystal noodles in a paper bowl.
"This seaweed jelly crystal noodle is very popular, even one of the health consultants in Jakarta ordered this crystal noodle for a healthy diet," said Usup.
A health consulting company in South Jakarta has become a loyal customer of crystal noodles produced by the Pertiwi Anugerah Group. Initially, continued Usup, the consultant bought 100 pieces, it grew to 5,000 pieces and has now penetrated 11,000 pieces. The total production capacity of the Anugerah Group's crystal noodles actually reaches 15,000 pieces. “This crystal noodle product is quite successful and is the most popular. The diet is delicious,” said Usup.
Crystal noodles processed by the Anugerah Pertiwi Group are made from the best quality seaweed jelly. This product is considered very high in dietary fiber, low in carbohydrates so that it is healthy for digestion. "Crystal noodles are suitable as alternative foods for people with high blood sugar/diabetes, low-carb diets," he stated.
He said the idea of developing seaweed jelly crystal noodles originated from Usup's habit of eating noodles. It crossed his mind to develop crystal noodles. Later, Usup tried to realize the idea. Moreover, the Anugerah Pertiwi Group has initially produced Agar Strip. "I tried using instant noodle seasoning, it is so delicious," said Usup.
Crystal jelly noodles processed by the Anugerah Pertiwi Group are sold for IDR 10 thousand for a bowl size of 7 grams. While in a 30-gram plastic container, it is sold for IDR 30 thousand.
Before producing crystal noodles, the Anugerah Pertiwi Group was accepted by the market by marketing the Agar Strip.
Agar Strip is a type of seaweed processed food Gracilaria sp. which contains high fiber and is suitable as a diet menu. This type of food is very popular in China and Japan.
When met separately, Arya Dwi Paramita, Corporate Secretary of Pertamina's Upstream Subholding, explained that the community empowerment that has been carried out is in line with Pertamina's commitment to implement Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) values and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"Orders from abroad are also in line with Pertamina's spirit in strengthening business steps to foreign countries from not only upstream to downstream businesses but also embracing fostered partners to become independent communities and going to the global market," said Arya.
The innovation for downstream seaweed products from the Anugerah Pertiwi Group started through the Agar Strip which was innovated in 2018 thanks to assistance from the Center for Testing the Application of Fishery Products (BBP2HP), now the Center for Testing the Application of Marine and Fishery Products (BP3KP).
According to Supriadi, Head of Aquaculture Marine and Fisheries Service Division Karawang Regency, he is optimistic that seaweed cultivation in Karawang will continue to grow as people are increasingly fond of healthy food from seaweed. "I assume (cultivating) this seaweed will be a trend in the future because the pests are also relatively almost non-existent," he said.**