"Through S&T, we would like to improve seaweed productivity as well as the income of seaweed farmers," said Dr. Edwin C. Villar, Acting Deputy Executive Director for R&D of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) during his message at the Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC) Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
To be held for two days, starting today, the CVAARRDEC FIESTA showcases R&D gains in the seaweed industry.
According to Dr. Villar, the Philippines was once the world's top producer of seaweeds. However, Indonesia replaced the country as top producer since 2008.
To address the decline in the country's seaweed production, PCAARRD initiated the Seaweed Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP). Dr Villar mentioned that the program was able to develop various technologies and innovations on seaweeds. The challenge now, he added, is to bring these breakthroughs to seaweed farmers and producers.
Dr. Villar extended the Council's pride in partnering with CVAARRDEC and its collaborators in their effort to promote and commercialize technologies and innovations on seaweeds. He added that seaweed has high potential to contribute to the economic development in Region 7.
Having encouraged the farmers to participate and interact with the resource speakers during the the two-day FIESTA, Dr. Villar hopes that the activity would contribute in transforming the seaweed industry into a sustainable enterprise. This is to help enhance the economic standing of our seaweed farmers in the region and beyond.