BUTUAN CITY – The provincial government of Dinagat Islands has recently facilitated the training of farmers and fisherfolk in Dinagat town in seaweed food processing.
The activity was also participated in by 15 Grade 12 students from Dinagat School of Fisheries (DSOF) as part of their work immersion program with the New Mabuhay Seaweeds Farmers and Fisherfolk Association.
The training involves learning how to process seaweeds into crackers, noodles, pastillas, jam, among others.
The provincial government of Dinagat Islands facilitated a training on seaweed food processing to the members of the New Mabuhay Seaweeds Farmers and Fisherfolk Association at New Mabuhay, Barangay Chapter, Dinagat town. The activity was participated in by the Provincial Agriculture Office, PLGU Executive Assistant IV Marichu M. Demerey and some Grade 12 students from Dinagat School of Fisheries. Photo courtesy of Gov. Nilo P. Demerey.
Provincial Agriculturist Rico Galinato said the training is expected to increase the number of people engaged in seaweed production, which is locally known as ‘guso.’
He added there is a need to have more people engaged in seaweed production as there is a huge demand for seaweeds abroad particularly in China, Japan, and Korea.
“Seaweeds are abundant agricultural crop in our island province. We need to learn how to find good ways to earn from nature's blessing, and the income is lucrative,” Galinato said.
“We are also thankful we have young students who are now learning the skill, and you can use them to earn a living. We need to sustain this livelihood, as this is the pride of the island province,” Galinato added.
The participants of the training were taught how to process seaweeds into crackers, noodles, pastillas, jam, among others. Photo courtesy of Gov. Nilo P. Demerey.
Lovejein Montalbo, a student-trainee, expressed her gratitude to the association, saying, “I am thankful for allowing us to gain first-hand experience on how to process seaweeds and turn them into food products. It teaches us to dream and someday put up our own seaweed business.”
Salvador Ucay, president of the group, also appreciated the provincial government and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for not leaving them behind, especially when the province was hit by Super Typhoon Odette and destroyed their seaweed farm.
“The government did not leave us alone. We received assistance to help us in the recovery and it provided us with resources to plant seaweeds again after the dangerous storm,” Ucay shared.
“I supported my three children to school out of the income I earned from the seaweed production. This is our bread and butter. We look forward to the government granting our humble request to build us our own processing center someday,” he added.
The Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rural Development Program supported the members of the New Mabuhay Seaweeds Farmers and Fisherfolk Association with input provision on seaweeds production, equipment for processing and marketing. Photo courtesy of Gov. Nilo P. Demerey.
The New Mabuhay Seaweeds Farmers and Fisherfolk Association is a beneficiary of the livelihood project from the DA - Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) with a project cost of P4.5 million, including input provision and support for seaweeds production, processing, and marketing.
Caraga, on the other hand, holds 2,142 hectares (ha) of seaweed area, of which 867 ha and 1,265 ha are existent and potential areas, respectively. Only three provinces, namely Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands, are seaweed-producing in the region. (RLE/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
