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primary source of livelihoods, which was particularly true for the larger farmers. Seaweed farming is a labour-intensive endeavour that requires great dedication and
focused efforts from producers, leaving them little time for other activities. Farmers slow down occasionally only during planting owing to the unavailability of propagules.
It is the author’s opinion that seaweed farmers could benefit from the diversification of marine aquaculture in order to generate additional sources of income. This is
particularly important in view of the problems that occasionally beset seaweed culture.
The richness of the marine resources of Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga Peninsula and Palawan could bring greater opportunities to the coastal inhabitants. However, these
opportunities need to take advantage of the new technologies developed at the research institutions. In this regard, the expertise of SEAFDECAQD in Tigbauan, Iloilo,
could be tapped to introduce marine aquaculture technologies to the seaweed coastal communities. In Sitangkai, pen culture of abalone could be introduced, while cage
culture of grouper, Napoleon wrasse and lobster could be promoted in Pangapuyan Island, Zamboanga. In general, sound IMTA systems could be introduced in the culture
areas, which would have Kappaphycus or Gracilaria as one of the major components.
Seaweed farmers currently engage in the gleaning of sea urchins Arena Blanco and Look Panyam, Zamboanga City, gathering of abalones Sitangkai, and gathering
of wild juveniles of groupers and Napoleon wrasse Pangapuyan Island, Zamboanga City; Tandu Banak, Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi. These activities are only seasonal and
conducted on a very small scale, but they acquire greater importance in times of low seaweed prices. International buyers Chinese from both China, Hong Kong SAR and
mainland China have begun to purchase live grouper and Napoleon wrasse in Tandu Banak, Sibutu. This trade has not emerged as a result of an introduced science-based
technology; instead, it is a product of the seaweed farmers’ own ingenuity. However, production could be increased provided farmers are given the opportunity to adopt
technologies developed from research.
5.4 Infrastructure and services
Frequent and reliable connection to the different elements of the value chain and stakeholders in the industry play a significant role in upgrading and improving the
marketability of crops. Internet connectivity is the key factor to facilitate timely communication and information exchanges among stakeholders.
Periodic workshops and meetings are important in order to keep stakeholders especially farmers abreast of the latest information on market conditions prices and
farming technologies and management. Transportation systems especially in remote islands must be improved to allow
convenient and fast access to the markets. A fast-craft service from Sitangkai to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, or operating in other places such as Agutaya, Palawan and Cagayancillo,
Palawan, would increase farm productivity. Access to financial services has been one of the weakest links that needs improvement.
Seaweed farmers in the Philippines usually rely on own funds for investment and operation, which not only hinders their development but also makes them less resilient
to negative shocks. Farmers must have access to the financial institutions to avail themselves of capital as well as financial services such as crop insurance and electronic
banking.
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Traditionally, seaweed farmers trust their cash to relatives who are traders. Whenever they need cash, farmers just go back and obtain it from their relatives. Farmers repeatedly state that having cash at the
pondohan is not a safe practice; therefore, they need to be taught how to use bank services.
References
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Social and economic dimensions of carrageenan seaweed farming in
the United Republic of Tanzania
Flower E. Msuya
Facilitator Seaweed Cluster Initiative, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks are expressed to the people from Zanzibar, Pemba, Mtwara, Lindi, Kilwa, Tanga, Bagamoyo and Dar es Salaam who participated in the interviews and filled in
questionnaires. The author is also grateful to Dr Amelia Buriyo and I. Sware Semesi for providing literature. Thanks are also given to Mr Hamad Said Khatib who provided
export statistics of marine products from Zanzibar.
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1. INTRODUCTION
