|
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Producers, gov't team up to boost quality seaweed
PRODUCERS, traders, processors and exporters from the country's seaweed industry, as well as concerned government agencies, have vowed to intensify their collaborative efforts to increase production of quality seaweed to meet growing local and global demand.
This agreement was made during the recent 5th Seaweed Congress where experts presented updates on environmental concerns related to seaweed production and processing, technologies for cultivating new seaweed varieties, measures to prevent diseases; as well as updates on international market and production standards.
"We must stay united and exert vigorous efforts to maintain our position in the world market," said Agriculture Undersecretary Cesar Drilon, Jr. during the congress, which was attended by over 200 delegates from the Philippines and Malaysia.
The Philippines has been the number one supplier of Eucheuma seaweed and semi-refined carrageenan and number four supplier of refined carrageenan.
Carrageenan is used as fat replacer, thickener, emulsion, stabilizer, calorie-controlling dietary substance and gelling agent in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
According to Industrial Market Research International, global demand for carrageenan is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4 to 6 percent in volume and 5 to 7 percent in value over the next decade.
Drilon encouraged seaweed growers to take advantage of the increasing demand of carrageenan by expanding their production areas.
"This development will further augment the contribution of the seaweed industry in terms of job generation," he adds.
Industry estimates show that more than 100,000 families are dependent on seaweed production.
Last year, according to the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP), the country's seaweed industry posted a 3.57 percent increase in value, generating $143.6 million in exports of raw dried seaweed, semi-refined carrageenan, and refined carrageenan.
But SIAP Secretary General Oscar Monzales noted that this year's actual production increase is only 10% of the projected growth.
To increase production volume, participants presented resolutions directed at the government and private sectors to develop new production areas and provide support facilities such as seaweed seedling banks and nurseries.
The participants also called on the implementation of the National Integrated Seaweed and Seaweed Products Development and Promotion Program, which consolidates all the activities of agencies involved in seaweed.
Concerned government agencies, the academe and SIAP are among the participating institutions.
Seaweed growers were also urged to observe quality and environmentally friendly management measures while the National Statistics Office, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Customs and SIAP were asked to rationalize the industry's statistical database to reflect accurate figures needed for strategic planning, impact assessment, and monitoring.
The 5th Mindanao Seaweed Congress was organized by the Western Mindanao Seaweed Industry Development Foundation in coordination with the Seaweed Inter-Agency Task Force and supported by Usaid's Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program.
The Task Force is composed of the City Government of Zamboanga, SIAP, Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Resources Development, Departments of Trade and Industry, Environment and Natural Resources, Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology with the Office of the City Agriculturist, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Regional Fisheries Training Center, Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology and the local governments of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
(September 23, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
