ILOILO – In Panay Island, the province of Iloilo was a pioneer in seaweed production before it was overtaken by Antique.
Due to climate change and the loss of interest among Iloilo’s seaweed farmers, production gradually decreased, according to the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO).
To strengthen the local seaweed industry, the provincial government is hosting the first Iloilo Seaweed Summit this April 14 to 15 at the Grand Social Hall of Casa Real de Iloilo, said Dr. Ildefonso Toledo, PAO chief.
“Puede pa ibalik ang seaweeds sa probinsya sang Iloilo. It used to be on the northern side lang sang province, particularly sa Estancia and Carles. But right now we know nga ang Concepcion, Ajuy, and San Dionisio are potential sites,” said Toledo in an interview with Panay News yesterday.
The summit is one of the activities for the province’s 122nd founding anniversary through the “Semana sang Iloilo” from April 11 to 14, with the theme “122 Years of Championing Progress”.
It will be organized by the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Center, PAO, University of the Philippines-College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 6.
Around 150 participants composed of members of the Northern Iloilo Seaweed Industry Association, seaweed farmers and growers, local government units from northern Iloilo, academe, and other government agency partners are expected to attend.
Toledo said the summit is focused on intensifying seaweed production, technology and innovations, as well as investment and network opportunities and utilization.
It also aims to share best practices on seaweed culture, discuss issues besetting the seaweed industry in the province, establish linkages and collaborate with different stakeholders.
The seaweed summit will seek to address industry challenges and identify opportunities for growth.
Network/market linkages with value chain partners are expected to be established and product technology accessed.
The provincial government invited speakers to discuss topics related to improving the seaweed industry.
Seaweed production
Meanwhile, Toledo said they are conducting test planting to find suitable areas for seaweed production in the province.
Even without the summit, he said the extension of technical assistance by the provincial government to seaweed farmers in northern Iloilo is ongoing.
The PAO chief added that farmers should be enlightened on seaweed production as a good source of income; not only could seaweeds be sold fresh but also processed, dried or pickled.
“Aside from selling dried or fresh nga state [of seaweeds], you could go into manufacturing or value chains,” he said.
Currently, the PAO is gathering the estimated number of seaweed farmers in the province and the total estimated area of seaweed production./PN
