WITH the launching of the Ilocos Norte-based Mariano Marcos State University’s (MMSU) P4.1 million seaweed farming technology project, coastal communities in this province can now look forward to improving and boosting their seaweed production and income.
MMSU President Shirley Agrupis said the initiative of the university is meant to contribute to the realization of three areas in their Achieve Agenda: creative, relevant and innovative research programs; high impact and transformative extension and outreach programs; and improved revenue generation and resource management.
The launching of the project at the MMSU Currimao Campus Fish Capture Laboratory earlier this month was attended by seaweed farmers and fishermen, municipal environment and natural resources officers, and fisheries coordinators of Badoc, Burgos and Currimao towns; fisheries and marine biology students; and MMSU officials.
Daniel Tapaoan Jr., MMSU information officer, said the research and development project titled “Spatial Suitability Assessment and Field Verification Trial of Seaweed Farming Technologies” was spearheaded by the university’s College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (Casat).
Tapaoan said the project was a recipient of P4.1 million in funding from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research.
Casat Dean Veronica Grande expressed hope that the seaweed farming technology project will promote a sustainable income-generating activity for coastal communities in the said municipalities in the province.
“Researchers, extension workers and policymakers in the province also stand to benefit from the project,” Grande said citing studies showing that seaweeds are a good source of colloidal materials which are used as gelling agents, emulsifiers and stabilizers in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food products .
The project was proposed by Prof. Ernesto del Rosario Jr. who currently chairs the Casat fisheries department.
He said three seaweed production stations will be built in Barangay La Virgen in Badoc town, Barangay Bobon in Burgos town, and Barangay Maglaoi in Currimao town.
In collaboration with concerned local government units, del Rosario said 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 training, technical consultation and assistance, and monitoring,” he said, adding that these will be conducted by the college’s project implementers.
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