The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has allocated a total of P1.06 billion for next year expenditures for a program aimed at further developing the seaweed industry.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program (EPSDP) is part of the Department’s broader goal of boosting the aquaculture sector, particularly focusing on seaweed, which is one of the country’s major agricultural exports.
“BFAR data reveals significant growth potential for seaweed farming, with identified expansion of 64,000 hectares that could increase annual output by more or less 50%. This represents a low-hanging fruit that could create thousands of jobs and substantially boost the country’s foreign exchange earnings,” Secretary Tiu Laurel explained.
Isidro Velayo Jr., Officer-in-Charge of BFAR, said around half of the budget for the program will 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.
Velayo further mentioned that BFAR has set aside P10 million for the purchase of two bioreactors, which are expected to produce 4,100 metric tons of propagules, or seaweed planting materials, next year. 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/kg (dry weight), he added.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the industry produced around 1.6 million metric tons of fresh seaweed in 2023, which resulted in the production of about 228,570 metric tons of seaweed products having a total value of P12.7 billion pesos.
BFAR also notes 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.