Status, Problems and Prospects of the Seaweed Industry in Pagadian City, Zamboaga del Sur

Date

12-2017

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Juan Paulino S. Trespalacio, Junior

Committee Member

Rachelle A. Mariano, Melodee Marciana E. De Castro, Agnes T. Banzon, Normito R. Zapata, Jr.

Abstract

During 2008, the Philippines dropped from being the world’s top exporter of seaweed. It was due to the country’s lack of effort in the industry. In the country, Region 9 was ranked third in producing the most seaweed. The province of Zamboanga del Sur has potential in helping the region to be the top-most in production. Pagadian City was chosen to represent the province as it is its capital city.

The research aims to analyze the status, problems, and prospects of the seaweed industry in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. Particularly, it attempts to (1) describe the industry players and structure of the seaweed industry; (2) describe the socio-demographic, political-legal, economic, technological, environmental, and international elements affecting the seaweed industry; (3) present the marketing, production, organization, and financial aspects of the seaweed industry; (4) identify and integrate internal and external factors; and (5) formulate strategies to address the findings, and a recommendation based on the analyzed integration of the internal and external factors.

The seaweed farmers were residing among barangays Bomba, Muricay, Poloyagan, San Pedro, and White Beach. The researcher was not able to supervise the gathering of data, but she oriented each of her interviewers properly. The interviewers went through 119 seaweed farmers that resided in the city. A standardized interview method was utilized. There were about 10 seaweed farmers who were not interviewed due to conflict in schedule between them and the interviewers. The seaweed traders were interviewed through a phone call. Secondary data was from government and industry websites, journals and books.

The key players of the industry were the seaweed farmers, and seaweed associations or compradors within Pagadian City. There were also industry players outside the locale, mainly the carrageenan processing companies. For external factors, Pagadian was the most populous city in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Raw dried seaweed had a high demand because of its processed product, carrageenan, having wide array of uses in food and non-food products. Seaweed farming used a traditional farming method, using simple input materials, and labor for farming practices. The suitable condition of seaweed farming highly depended on environmental factors, which made climate change a major problem to seaweed production. The industry was attractive because despite the fact that threat of new entrants, and bargaining power of buyers were high, the bargaining power of suppliers, threat of substitutes, and industry rivalry were low. As for internal factors, the product was Kappaphycus alvarezii and it was grown three months before harvest. Initial seaweed farming costs about Php3000 for set up of farm, preparation of seedlings, seedlings and fertilizer. On average, farmers sold raw dried seaweeds (RDS) for Php57.5 to seaweed compradors during peak seasons. Compradors sold their products to carrageenan processing companies outside the province at around Php65. The players need not to have a place for selling their products because they delivered it to their buyers instead. Seaweed associations were formed either by locale or religion, for ease of information dissemination.

The strengths and opportunities consisted of the support from institutions, strong carrageenan processing facilities outside the locale, and high demand for seaweeds among others. Threats and weaknesses included the lack of basic education among seaweed farmers, supply of quality seedlings, and seaweed farming technology, local RDS supply not meeting the local demands, and climate change among others.

The research recommended having seminars to attract people outside the industry, investing in a carrageenan processing plant, offering incentives for education, establishing a seedling supplier, and the application of organic fertilizer and tissue culture. The seminars and seaweed farming technology enhancement (i.e. organic fertilizer and tissue culture) were going to be made with the help of institutions such as BFAR, DOST, and SEAFDEC. On the other hand, investment of the processing plant within the province, incentives for education, and the establishment of seaweed nurseries of quality seedlings were going to be requested from the local government units. These recommendations were made to expand and enhance the seaweed industry of the province. Specifically they increase the RDS production by improving the seaweed farming technology, increase the players by attracting people outside of it, and moving forward into carrageenan processing.

Language

English

LC Subject

Marine algae industry

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2017 M17 Y8

Notes

Viewing access to electronic resources is restricted solely to UP Gmail accounts. Any access and share requests from external organizations and personal email accounts will be promptly declined.

Document Type

Thesis

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS