By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

Coastal communities in Ilocos Norte now look forward to increase their seaweed production and income with the launch of the Mariano Marcos State University’s seaweed farming technology project at the Fish Capture Laboratory of its Currimao campus yesterday, December 14. 

The research and development project titled “Spatial Suitability Assessment and Field Verification Trial of Seaweed Farming Technologies,” is spearheaded by the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (CASAT). It received with a Php 4.1-million funding from the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural Research. 

The launch was attended by seaweed farmers and fisherfolk, municipal environment and natural resources officers and fisheries coordinators of Badoc, Burgos, and Currimao in Ilocos Norte, fisheries and marine biology students, and MMSU officials. 

Prof. Ernesto Del Rosario Jr., project proponent and chair of the CASAT fisheries department, said three seaweed production stations will be built in barangay La Virgen in Badoc, barangay Bobon in Burgos, and barangay Maglaoi in Currimao, in collaboration with the concerned local government units. 

He added the project will also establish demo-farms for fingerlings which will serve as grow-out production of seaweed farmers. To ensure the feasibility of the farms, project participants will undergo on-site trainings, technical consultation and assistance, and monitoring. These will be conducted by the college’s project implementers. 

CASAT Dean Veronica Grande hopes the project will promote a sustainable income-generating activity for coastal communities in the province. Researchers, extension workers, and policy makers in the province also stand to benefit from the project, she added. 

Studies show seaweeds are a good source of colloidal materials which are used as gelling agents, emulsifiers, stabilizers, in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food products.

This initiative is meant to contribute to the realization of three areas in the ACHIEVE agenda of MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis: creative, relevant and innovative research programs; high impact and transformative extension and outreach programs; and, improved revenue generation and resource management. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)