BFAR assists seaweed farmers in Yolanda-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has started extending assistance to seaweed farmers affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda to speed up the recovery of the subsector.

BFAR director Asis Perez said around 3,000 seaweed farmers in coastal communities in Leyte have already received 19.8 tons of seaweed seedlings, as well as supplies of nylon ropes, plastic twines, and floaters.

He said around P178 million has been allotted for seaweed farming areas affected by the super typhoon.

Yolanda damaged more than 2,000 hectares of seaweed farms in Mimaropa, central and eastern Visayas and the Bicol region.

Perez said that with the prevailing good weather and proper planting of seedlings seaweeds could be harvested after 45 days.

He said that a seaweed farmer with a hectare of seaweed culture area stands to earn P200,000 in four croppings per year.

Seaweed production fell 11 percent in 2013 from the previous year’s aggregate annual production of 1.75 million metric tons (MT) due to the onslaught of typhoons Wilma and Yolanda.

Incidences of the so-called ice-ice bacteria disease in major seaweed-producing provinces like Zamboanga del Norte and Tawi-Tawi also pulled down production.

Seaweed value, however, rose 1.30 percent as high demand for some seaweed species pushed prices upward.

This year, Perez said BFAR would intensify its national seaweed program by establishing 66 seaweed nurseries across the country and expanding production in the Philippine eastern seaboard, a non-traditional seaweed production area.

Seaweed and carrageenan remain among the country’s top 10 farm exports.

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

The Philippines produces US-Food and Drug Administration-approved natural grade carrageenan.

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