D.A. eyeing higher seaweed production in 2010
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing a higher production of seaweeds this year to meet the growing demand of this commodity here and abroad by providing financial assistance to people’s organizations (POs) for them to grow and culture more of this high-value marine product.
In a report to the DA, Director Malcolm Sarmiento of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the agency will initially focus on three areas—Central Visayas, Oriental Mindoro in the Mimaropa region and Guimaras in Western Visayas for the implementation of this capability-building program.
BFAR’s office in
The Fisheries Financing Program (FFP)—a joint undertaking of the DA’s Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC), the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the BFAR—is likewise implementing a seaweed processing venture in Balatasan, Oriental Mindoro with an approved loan of P500,000 that would benefit 30 seaweed producers.
BFAR, ACPC and FFP also have a seaweed farming expansion initiative in Sibunag, Guimaras, which was granted a P2.5 million loan for 162 seaweed farmers.
Created by ACPC Resolution No. 31-02 series of 2007, the FFP is an innovative lending program under the Agro Industry Modernization Credit and Financing Program (AMCFP), the government’s umbrella financing program for agriculture and fisheries.
The scheme starts with the ACPC placing P33 million in the Land Bank as deposit hold-out (DHO) fund to cover the exposure to new conduits that have not been accredited by the Bank.
Conduit organizations then either retail the funds as microfinance loans to small fishing households or as loans to finance any of the activities in the value chain of small players in the fisheries industry.
ACPC is also stepping up the implementation of a tilapia production project in Laurel, Batangas, where the Land Bank granted a P500,000 loan for 30 fisherfolk beneficiaries.
This tilapia production project is also covered by the FFP.
The fast-expanding organic-food market across the globe has increased the demand for seaweeds.
The
Carageenan has recently been named into the organic food list of the US Department of Agriculture. This type of seaweed is a gelling agent used extensively as thickener or emulsifier in almost all commercial products from medicine, toothpaste and ice cream to chocolates, cosmetics and even beer.
Seaweed farming is a low capital business venture that does not require feeds or fertilizer inputs. The average production of seaweeds per hectare for a 45-day cropping period is 26,000 kilos.
The
However, despite these impressive rankings, Philippine seaweed production still falls short compared to the rising demand in the global market.
Some local seaweed processing companies have even resorted to importations to meet local demand. (DA Press Office)
