Significance of Experience, Farm Size, Quantity of Propagules and Location f or Seaweed Farmers in the Divided Island of Sebatik

James M. Alin, Datu Razali Datu Eranza, Arsiah Bahron 
(Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia)

Abstract: Seaweed-Kappaphycus-Euchema Cottonii and Denticulum species was first cultivated at Sabah side of Sebatik in 2009. By November 2014, sixty one Sabahan seaweed farmers cultivated 122 ha or 3,050 long lines. Thirty Sabahan seaweed farmers in Kampung Pendekar (3.2 m.t dried) and 31 in Burst Point (12.5 m.t dried) produced 16 metric tonnes of dried seaweed contributed 31% to Tawau’s total production (51 m.t). The remaining 69% were from farmers in Cowie Bay that separates Sebatik from municipality of Tawau. Indonesian in Desa Setabu, Sebatik started in 2008. However, the number of Indonesian seaweed farmers, their cultivated areas and production (as well as quality) in Sebatik increased many times higher and faster than the Sabah side of Sebatik. In 2009 more than 1,401 households in Kabupaten Nunukan (including Sebatik) cultivated over 700 ha and have produced 55,098.95 and 116, 73 m.t dried seaweed in 2010 and 2011 respectively. There is a divergence in productions from farming the sea off the same island under similar weather conditions. Which of the eight explanatory factors were affecting production of seaweeds in Sebatik? Using Cobb Douglas production function, Multiple Regression analysis was conducted on 100 samples (50 Sabahan and 50 Indonesian). Results; Variable significant at α = 0.05% are Experience in farming whereas Farm size; Quantity of propagules and Location — Dummy are the variables significant at α 0.01%. Not significant are variables Fuel; Age; Number of family members involved in farming and Education level.

Key words: Seaweed-Kappaphycus-Euchema Cottonii; Sabah side of Sebatik; Indonesian side of Sebatik; cultivated areas; Cobb Douglas production function; multiple regression

         JEL codes: Q22