While the utilisation of terrestrial biomass has been long recognised, marine biomass, such as seaweed, remains a largely untapped resource.
However, with the global seaweed industry experiencing rapid growth, driven by its economic potential – particularly in the food industry – there’s a rising interest in its broader applications.
One such innovative project is being led by Dr Faizah binti Haji Metali and her team, which includes Yumni Haziqah binti Mohammad, Anis Nadiah binti Abdillah, Norafifah Syakirah binti Muhammad and Sofian Fatih Faizul Arsyad bin Abdul Qadir Zailani.
The project titled ‘Rumpai Laut: Fertilising the Future’ was among eight showcased during Universiti Brunei Darussalam’s (UBD) Convocation Festival.
This year’s event theme focused on sustainability, highlighting the university’s initiatives that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UBD Sustainability Masterplan.
Their work focuses on transforming waste seaweed collected from aquaculture cages in the Brunei River into a valuable resource for sustainable agriculture.
The project’s main objective is to develop an organic seaweed fertiliser that promotes eco-friendly farming practices.
As such, this endeavour not only addresses the need for sustainable solutions in agriculture but also aligns with several UN SDGs.
Specifically, it supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), while indirectly contributing to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
“Our project also aims to manage waste seaweed generated from aquaculture, promoting the circular economy concept,” said Yumni Haziqah.
“This aligns with our goals of sustainability and resource optimisation. Our project is still in progress, as this is part of my PhD research. We officially began in 2022 and continue to work on it today.”
The impetus behind the project stems from the challenges faced by the local agriculture sector, where crop production in the country heavily relies on chemical fertilisers.
Through this seaweed project, Dr Faizah’s team is working to develop organic alternatives that could enhance agricultural efficiency and sustainability.
And by substituting chemical fertilisers with organic seaweed-based options, they aim to reduce environmental impact while improving crop yields.
The research has involved several key stages, including extensive initial research on Brunei’s agricultural sustainability, seeking local and international collaborations, data collection, and conducting field and lab analyses.
Despite the challenges of coordinating fieldwork and manpower, the team has made significant progress.
Looking ahead, the team is considering applying for a patent to protect their intellectual property.
“Applying for a patent would indicate that our innovation has potential for commercial production, and we intend to do so soon,” said Yumni Haziqah.
“We are confident that our products can be scaled up for the local market. Currently, we are working on the final formulations, evaluating the feasibility of mass production, and exploring collaborations to bring the product to market in the near future. We’ve also registered our own company, Rumpai Laut Enterprise.”
As the project progresses, the team expects a positive public response, particularly given the growing interest in sustainable and innovative solutions for agriculture and aquaculture waste management.
They also anticipate interest from government agencies, local farmers, consumers, retailers, and other stakeholders who are keen on adopting green alternatives and improving agricultural practices in Brunei. – Lyna Mohamad
