THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) enhanced the business potential of 80 fisherfolk, women group members and youth from Zamboanga Sibugay through four-day training on Seaweed-Enriched Food Products.
The BFAR-Zamboanga Peninsula said the four-day training conducted in the towns of Naga and R.T. Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay started on Tuesday, April 8, and ended on Friday, April 11, 2025.
"The training focuses on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and aims to equip fisherfolk associations with skills for producing seaweed-enriched food items," the BFAR-Zamboanga Peninsula said in a statement.
The training covered essential topics such as GMP, proper packaging, and methods for preparing seaweed-enriched foods, according to BFAR-Zamboanga Peninsula.
The participants have gained practical experience by producing products like seaweed chips, ice cream, yema, steamed puto, cracknels, and pancakes.
"These hands-on activities emphasized hygiene, shelf-life improvement, and attractive packaging, critical for product appeal," the BFAR-Zamboanga Peninsula said.
The participants of the four-day training include 45 members of the Baluno Fisherfolk Association and the Labuyo Wommen's Innovative Livelihood Association composed of 32 women, eight men, and five senior citizens.
The BFAR-Zamboanga Peninsula said that 35 youths have also participated in the training.
The BFAR-Zamboanga Peninsula said the training is part of the Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program, targeting communities already engaged in seaweed production to enhance their business potential. (SunStar Zamboanga)