Lanao fishfarmers turn to seaweed farming

MANILA, Philippines - With the price of the seaweed continuing to go up in the world market, people living in the coastal areas of Lanao del Norte have decided that now is the time to into seaweed farming particularly that the provincial government and its leaders are in full support to their endeavor.

At least 131 seaweed farmers from Barangays Pigcarangan and Tanguegueron in the capital town of Tubod received 60 kilos of seaweed planting materials last March 17 from the Provincial Agriculturist Office and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 10.

BFAR assistant regional director Asuncion Maputol said that if good weather prevails, each farmer can earn a net profit of up to P100,000 to P200,000 per hectare.

According to Maputol, the only thing that a farmer needs to do is nurture the planting material so it will grow healthy.

The assistance extended to the farmers was arranged by Lanao del Norte Rep. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo who asked Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala for help.

Earlier the coastal towns of Tubod, Baroy and Lala suffered heavy flooding after the torrential rains pounded the province.

“We would have wanted to deliver these planting materials earlier but we have to make sure that these will not be destroyed by another poor weather,“ said Maputol.

Under the BFAR rehabilitation program, the seaweed farmers will be supplied with the necessary materials to rebuild their farms that were destroyed by the flood.

“I am very much thankful to Alcala for prioritizing Lanao del Norte’s affected farmers and for acting immediately on my request,” Dimaporo said.