Knowledge can go a long way when shared as this can open new opportunities and bring development to those who receive it.

While seaweed farming has been facing many challenges such as poor quality seedstock, disease and the rampant use of fertilizers, studies have been conducted to combat these problems by identifying their root cause and coming up with new science-based solutions.

Following the promising results of the seaweed propagation project in Tawi-Tawi, the Mindanao State University of Sulu conducted the “Launching and Knowledge Sharing of Best Practices in Seaweeds Farming System” in collaboration with Mindanao State University Tawi-tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) at the MSU Sulu Campus in Jolo,Sulu.

MSU-Sulu Chancellor Dr. Nagder J. Abdurahman thanked their partners from DA-PRDP, MAFAR BARMM, and MSU-TCTO for responding to their call for support to also help the seaweed farmers of Sulu.

“We need to have the noble purpose of changing human lives. So, I would like to thank our partners who are here to change the lives of many people in Sulu and for supporting us on the ground,” said Chancellor Abdurahman. “We see that we really need your support as we strive to lift the economic situation that we have here in the Province of Sulu.”

MSU-TCTO Director for Research  Dr. Richard Muallil presented their findings and recommendations based on the outcome of the completed Phase 1 research project on the propagation of laboratory generated seedstocks. The research was funded under DA-PRDP’s I-PLAN Component Subcomponent 1.2 which provides support for training, research, and coordination for different priority commodities.

MSU-TCTO Director for Research Dr. Richard Muallil explains in a local dialect the challenges in seaweed farming to invited seaweed farmers in different barangays in Sulu.

Dr. Muallil also discussed the negative impact of using fertilizers based on their research in Tawi-tawi to the participants, who were seaweeds farmers from different barangays of Sulu, .

“With the use of fertilizers, seaweeds became dependent and could no longer grow without fertilizers. As a result, farmers need to spend additional on fertilizers instead of directly planting the seaweeds in the sea, they now have to deal with a long tedious process that requires extra efforts or manpower on the part of the farmers,” said Dr. Muallil.

There is hope to resolve the issue on the use of fertilizer by coming up with a more disease resistant variety and by introducing new technologies to farmers like the use of laboratory grown seaweed cultivars accompanied with support to farmers both technical and financial from different line agencies.

Seaweed farmers with their barangay officials from Barangay Kulasi, Brgy. Tumangas, Brgy. Kabucan, Brgy. Minis, and Brgy. Batu Ugis together with DA-PRDP PSO Min, RPCO MAFAR-BARMM, MSU TCTO and MSU Sulu representatives

Recently, MSU-TCTO harvested their out-planted laboratory grown seaweed stocks from their Phase 2 projects on the establishment of a community sea-based nursery.

PSO Mindanao I-PLAN Planning Specialist Elden Karl Requilme emphasized the important role of each seaweed stakeholder in addressing the gaps in the value chain of seaweeds.

MSU Sulu College of Fisheries Dean Hji. Ronald Ancheta, who also recently submitted a proposal for research and development of seaweed  in Sulu expressed his gratitude to the support they received.

“We are thankful for this new undertaking with MAFAR BARMM and PSO Mindanao in keeping the peace and development in our province. Many seaweed farmers in Sulu already expressed their interest in the engagement of seaweed projects,” said Dean Ancheta.

MSU SULU, MSU TCTO, PRDP PSO Mindanao and MAFAR

The knowledge sharing session was attended by seaweed farmers with their barangay officials from Barangay Kulasi, Brgy. Tumangas, Brgy. Kabucan, Brgy. Minis, and Brgy. Batu Ugis. There were also invited guests from Region 9 in the MASEPLA Association, and representatives from Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology who shared some of their experiences and best practices when it comes to seaweeds farming. The school officials, students, and faculty and staff of MSU Sulu also showed full support to the said activity. The team from RPCO BARMM and PSO Mindanao were also present.

This partnership is just a start of more opportunities for farmers in the Province of Sulu. (Joy Montecalvo, PSO Min)