Guimaras island province in the Philippines has launched a seaweed production and marketing project worth US$418,226.35 to help improve the livelihood of fishermen in the region
According to the department of agriculture (DA), the Guimaras Seaweed Production and Marketing Project will aim to improve the quality of life of 1,259 fishermen in the province.
Guimaras is the second largest seaweed producing region in the Philippines.
May Ann Grajo, head of the regional project coordination office of the investments in rural enterprises and agriculture productivity, said that the beneficiaries will be from the towns of Sibunag, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Jordan in Guimaras.
“The World Bank will contribute US$20,034.91 for the seaweed project and the national government and the provincial government of Guimaras will each shell out US$66,963.18,” Grajo added.
According to Ronnie Morante, Guimaras provincial agriculturist, the project would boost the local seaweed industry especially since seaweed is easy to culture and has a big market potential in the region.
Morante noted that the project would generate additional employment for women and youth and ensure sustainability of volume and quality of production in the island province.
