By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
A total of P1.06 billion for next year’s expenditures was allocated by the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) for a program aimed at further development of the domestic seaweed industry.
“BFAR data reveals significant growth potential for seaweed farming, with [an] identified expansion of 64,000 hectares that could increase annual output by more or less 50%. This represents a low-hanging fruit that could create thousands of jobs and substantially boost the country’s foreign exchange earnings,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. explained.
Isidro Velayo Jr., BFAR officer-in-charge, said around half of the budget for the Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program (EPSDP) will be allocated for the distribution of seaweed farm implements, the establishment of 109 new nurseries, and the maintenance of 24 existing seaweed culture areas.
“We will also construct eight warehouses, 34 mechanical dryers, and 80 seaweed food carts to be distributed across the country,” he said.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the industry produced around 1.6 million metric tons of fresh seaweed in 2023, which resulted in the production of about 228,570 metric tons of seaweed products having a total value of P12.7 billion pesos.
BFAR also notes that the Province of Tawi-tawi has 20,000 hectares of potential seaweed farming areas, in addition to the 62,000 hectares of existing seaweed farms. Furthermore, potential farming areas of Southwestern Luzon and the Zamboanga Peninsula cover 12,736 hectares and 16,845 hectares, respectively.
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