Surigao coastal residents thrive by way 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 influence 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 mission, managed by Folks Unite to Guard Aqua Marine Wealth, Inc. (Pugaw, Inc.), gives sustainable earnings for group members who have been as soon as engaged in practices dangerous to marine ecosystems.

Fashioned in 1997, PUGAW consists of 160 members targeted on sustainable aquaculture.

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

This system allotted P10.5 million for seaweed manufacturing and advertising, overlaying inputs, gear and services, together with a P1 million capitalization increase and P400,000 from the DA Kadiwa program, which entails direct promoting to customers as an alternative of intermediaries.

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

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“The DA-PRDP mission 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, mentioned.

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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 patrons 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 prescribed drugs, making uncooked dried seaweed extremely marketable,” Pugaw president Jupiter Casas mentioned.

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

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

Scale-Up is likely one of the DA flagship applications designed to deal with the gaps within the commodity worth chains by bettering the effectivity of the meals provide chain in the direction of larger connectivity, mobility, accessibility, availability and affordability of meals out there.

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