Tagbilaran—The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development aims to improve the economic condition of seaweed farmers in Central Visayas by boosting their production.
“PCAARRD and consortium members here in Region 7 have developed various technologies and innovations to improve seaweed production,” Dr. Edwin Villar, PCAARRD executive director for Research and Development, said Wednesday.
Villar spoke during the opening program here of the two-day Farms and Industry Encounters through Science and Technology Agenda hosted by Central Visayas and Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium.
“Seaweed production has high potential to contribute to the economic development in the region. Seaweed farming must be a sustainble enterprise. There are new technologies available to seaweed farmers and producers,” he added.
One technology developed is the mechanical seaweed harvester and seaweed planting table with tie-line straw inserter, he noted.
“PCAARRD takes pride in partnering with CVAARRDEC and its collaborators in their effort to develop and promote technologies and innovations on seaweed production,” Villar added.
Seaweed Industry Association of the Philppines Director Ronald Simbajon added: “Seaweed has a ready market for local and international. We have to expand seaweed farming.”
“There must be collaboration between the seaweed researches of the government agencies and the industry,” he added.
The top seaweed producing regions in the country are ARMM, MIMAROPA, and Zamboanga Peninsula, but seaweed production in Central and Western Visayas has been increasing, according to CVAARRDEC officials.
These regions still have at least 3,000 hectares of potential areas for seaweed expansion.
The Philippines used to be top producer of seaweed worldwide, but was edged by Indonesia in 2008.
The FIESTA event included lectures and forums on seaweed production, technology and business matching, Region 7 products exhibit, and other other ancillary activities held at the multi-purpose hall of Reyna’s Haven and Gardens here.