Daily Archives: January 24, 2017

PDAP Conducts Seaweeds Farming Technical Training in Caluya, Antique share

The Partnership for Development Assistance in the Philippines Inc. (PDAP) in partnership with the Rotary Club of Manila Metro and Ms. May Lim of PMLJ Trading conducted on-site capacity building interventions on September 4-8, 2016, October 2-6, 2016 and December 4-8, 2016 for thirty (30) seaweed farmers in Brgy. Imba, Caluya, Antique. The capacity building assistance provided helped enhance the skills of the farmers in seaweeds farming which will eventually result in increased productivity and increased income of the beneficiaries.

As designed by PDAP and approved by Rotary Club of Manila Metro, the interventions consisted of three (3) modules; namely, Siting and Planting, Farm Management and Harvest and Post-Harvest. All modules were primarily conducted through hands-on training or on-site coaching and mentoring (i.e. teaching and learning by doing and guiding). All modules were also conducted during the actual timing of implementation by the farmer-participants of the key processes in seaweeds farming so the farmer-participants will better and fully understand and appreciate the farming technology imparted to them. Individual demo farms were installed which the farmer-participants used to apply the knowledge and skills that they have acquired. Regular monitoring and farm assessment were done in between the conduct of the three (3) modules.

Exit meetings involving the seaweed-farmer participants were done after the conduct of each of the three (3) modules where reviews of the modules were done. It was emphasized that to produce good-quality raw dried seaweeds (RDS), seaweed farmers must apply the proper farming techniques they have learned from site selection to the post-harvest stage. With good-quality RDS, it would be easier for the farmers to market their produce in the market.

Farmer-participants also gave their feedback in the exit meetings. The farmers expressed their appreciation to the new seaweed farming technology they acquired by citing some of the improvements they have observed in their respective seaweed farms. Most farmers were optimistic that the new farming technology will contribute in increasing their income from seaweeds farming.