Farmers, fisherfolk in Dinagat Islands train in seaweed processing
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.
By Renelle Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY – The provincial government of Dinagat Islands has recently facilitated the training of farmers and fisherfolk in Dinagat Islands 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.
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.
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 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)
