Philippines Opens First Seaweed Bioreactor Facility to Boost Exports

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has opened the country’s first bioreactor facility in Sorsogon to further grow seaweed production and exports. The agency said the facility will produce disease-free planting materials year-round to increase seaweed production. It replaces outdated laboratory methods that relied on makeshift bottles, manual aeration and less efficient propagation techniques. The Sorsogon facility houses a P10-million automated 1,250-litre bioreactor and P12-million modular seaweed bioreactors at BFAR’s seaweed technology center. According to the DA, the technology lets scientists control light, nutrients and temperature to produce healthier, high-quality seaweed propagules faster. “The planting materials will be distributed free to seaweed farmers nationwide, helping improve harvests while reducing losses caused by poor-quality or disease-prone seedlings,” the DA said in a statement on Wednesday. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the facility marks a major milestone for the country’s seaweed industry. “This is the first facility of its kind in the Philippines. We can now produce seaweed propagules on demand instead of waiting for seasonal growth,” he added. “Our goal is simple. We want to provide clean, disease-free planting materials from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and help regain the Philippines position as the world’s leading Kappaphycus seaweed producer,” the agriculture chief added. The Philippines is a major producer of carrageenan-bearing seaweeds used in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other industries. Meanwhile, BFAR Chief Aquaculturist Ida Capacio said the agency had waited decades for the technology after relying on makeshift systems. “Before, we relied on improvised systems. Now we can produce quality propagules much faster because of the SBRs (seaweed bioreactors). The dreams we have for the Philippine seaweed industry are finally becoming reality,” Capacio added. BFAR will first send propagules to Zamboanga, Palawan and BARMM, then to by Cebu, Iloilo, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Masbate after farmer training. It is also planning more bioreactors in Palawan and Mindanao to boost production and develop new varieties. /pai INQ