Surigao coastal residents thrive by means of seaweed farming initiative

QUALITY CHECK. Jupiter Casas, president of the Folks Unite to Guard Aqua Marine Wealth, Inc., inspects seaweeds being dried at a facility in Barangay Loyola, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur on Saturday (Nov. 9, 2024). (PNA photograph by ALEXANDER LOPEZ)

HINATUAN, Surigao del Sur — Within the coastal group of Barangay Loyola, residents are witnessing the transformative affect of seaweed farming, due to the I-REAP (Investments for Rural Enterprises and Agricultural and Fisheries Productiveness), a part of the Division of Agriculture–Philippine Rural Growth Tasks (DA-PRDP).

The undertaking, managed by Folks Unite to Guard Aqua Marine Wealth, Inc. (Pugaw, Inc.), supplies sustainable earnings for group members who have been as soon as engaged in practices dangerous to marine ecosystems.

Shaped in 1997, PUGAW consists of 160 members centered on sustainable aquaculture.

PUGAW’s journey started with DA-PRDP assist in December 2022, following coaching and undertaking preparation.

This system allotted P10.5 million for seaweed manufacturing and advertising and marketing, protecting inputs, gear and amenities, together with a P1 million capitalization enhance and P400,000 from the DA Kadiwa program, which includes direct promoting to shoppers as an alternative of intermediaries.

World Financial institution loans and Philippine authorities contributions funded the initiative.

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“The DA-PRDP undertaking was handed over to the group on Dec. 28, 2023, as soon as all necessities have been fulfilled,” Elvin Jamito, DA-PRDP Enterprise Growth Officer for Caraga Area, stated.

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The shift to sustainable practices has improved each group livelihoods and marine conservation efforts.

Bonifacia Bughao, Pugaw supervisor, famous that earlier than, residents harvested mangroves unsustainably for charcoal and firewood.

Nevertheless, recurring climate disturbances led the group to rethink such apply and give attention to restoration.

Now, with a chosen 422 hectares for seaweed farming, Barangay Loyola’s farmers contribute to an annual town-wide seaweed harvest of about 600 metric tons.

Because the DA-PRDP’s intervention, Pugaw alone has produced 120 metric tons, yielding roughly P5 million in revenues.

With main consumers from Gingoog Metropolis and Cebu province, in addition to native markets, Pugaw is well-positioned within the seaweed provide chain.

“Seaweed is essential for cosmetics, meals and prescription drugs, making uncooked dried seaweed extremely marketable,” Pugaw president Jupiter Casas stated.

Along with uncooked dried seaweed, Pugaw has expanded into value-added merchandise like seaweed-infused rice muffins and pasta, that are distributed regionally.

The Scale-Up program is underway to additional strengthen Pugaw’s capabilities, specializing in increasing manufacturing and making certain undertaking sustainability.

Scale-Up is among the DA flagship packages designed to deal with the gaps within the commodity worth chains by enhancing the effectivity of the meals provide chain in the direction of larger connectivity, mobility, accessibility, availability and affordability of meals available in the market.

“Our objective is to extend Pugaw’s manufacturing space and output of high quality seaweed,” DA-13 Govt Director Arlan Mangelen stated.