Government sets P1 billion spending to boost seaweed industry

MANILA, Philippines —  The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will spend P1.06 billion next year to boost the domestic seaweed industry and hike the export of one of the country’s prized commodities.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said BFAR, an attached bureau of the Department of Agriculture (DA), would use the budget for its Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program that aligns with the DA’s overall goal of developing the local aquaculture sector.

Tiu Laurel said BFAR has already identified at least 64,000 hectares for the expansion of seaweed farming in the country that could increase annual output by “more or less” 50 percent.

“This represents a low-hanging fruit that could create thousands of jobs and substantially boost the country’s foreign exchange earnings,” he said yesterday.

BFAR OIC Isidro Velayo Jr. said half of the proposed budget next year would be allocated for the distribution of seaweed farm implements, establishment of 109 new nurseries and 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.

BFAR would purchase two bioreactors worth P10 million each that are expected to produce 4,100 metric tons of propagules or seaweed planting materials next year, according to the DA.

These propagules would be sufficient to cultivate seaweed across 410 hectares and yield an estimated 102.5 million kilograms of fresh seaweed, valued at approximately P850 million at P58.00 per kilo, Velayo said.

BFAR also noted that the province of Tawi-Tawi has 20,000 hectares of potential seaweed farming areas in addition to the existing 62,000 hectares seaweed farms.

Furthermore, potential farming areas of Southwestern Luzon and the Zamboanga Peninsula cover 12,736 hectares and 16,845 hectares, respectively, according to the DA.

The Philippines produced 1.626 million metric tons of fresh seaweed last year worth P12.7 billion.