DA allots P5 M for seaweed production

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is alloting P5 million to boost seaweed production in southern Leyte to lessen the  incidence of poverty in the coastal areas of the province.

DA is allotting P265 million next year for the development of the seaweed industry nationwide. 

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 224.695 billion.

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

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

The Philippines produces United States-Food and Drug Administration-approved Philippine Natural Grade (PNG) carrageenan, a gel-like food and non-food additive derived from seaweeds.

Carrageenan  is used for food and non-food products that need gelling, thickening, binding, texturizing and suspending  properties.

Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) director Nicomedes P. Eleazar said the demand for carageenan is increasing  because of its environment-friendly sources. Because of this, Philippine processors are now importing up to 60,000 metric tons of 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 seaweed export values.

“We are looking into supporting more projects in seaweeds since it is a product that is unique to use and where we can have the competitive edge globally,” said Eleazar.

Once seaweed production in Leyte increases, TBK Manufacturing Corp, a producer and exporter of PNG carrageenan, has agreed to buy seaweed from farmers.

The company holds a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification, a globally-recognized food safety system.

Based on research conducted by the BFAR, it was discovered that seaweed farmers in Leyte already follow best practices.