DA allots P265 M for seaweed development

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is allotting P265 million next year for the development of the seaweed industry. 

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director Asis Perez said most of the fund would be utilized to provide inputs and technical assistance to  24,000 new seaweed farmers nationwide.

Perez said the government aims to raise by 11 percent the current seaweed production level. Data from the Agriculture department showed that seaweed production reached 1.8 million metric tons (MT) in 2011, up 2.9 percent from 2010.

In 2011, seaweed production comprised 70. 6 percent of the country’s total aquaculture production output of 2.6 million MT.

Accounting for the rest of aquaculture production were milkfish, tilapia, shrimps, prawns and other species. The total fish production in 2011 was valued at P224.695 billion.

Perez said demand for seaweed and its products has been increasing in export destinations such as Europe, United States and Japan.

Next to tuna, seaweed is the country’s second largest marine export in 2010 with shipments valued at $155.61 million up by 42.6 percent from $99.438 million in 2009.

US, China and France are among the major markets for Philippine seaweed products.

Seaweeds are used either as food or source of raw materials for pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, pet feed and fertilizers.

Until 2007, the Philippines was the world’s largest producer of carrageenan bearing seaweed until it was overtaken  by Indonesia in 2008 when it began producing 60 percent more than the Philippines.

Demand for carrageenan, a food additive, is increasing and Philippine processors are now importing up to 60,000 metric tons dry weight from Indonesia annually to fill in the shortfall.

Carrageenan is still the leading seaweed product exported by the Philippines, comprising 75 percent of the total export values.

The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) remains as the country’s largest producer, with a capacity of 686,450 MT as of 2011 followed by Region IV-B with a production capacity of 483, 190 MT in 2011.

Around 200,000 families, equivalent to 1.2 million people, are currently engaged in seaweed farming in the country. Of the total available farming area of 200,000 hectares, only 60,000 hectares are used.