The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that the Philippines’ first seaweed bioreactor has started operations at the National Seaweed Technology Development Center in Sorsogon, according to BusinessWorld. The facility is run by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The automated bioreactor has a capacity of 1,250 liters and cost P10 million. It is designed to produce disease-free seaweed planting materials year-round, addressing seasonal shortages and quality issues that have hampered the local seaweed industry.
The initiative supports the government’s push to revive the seaweed sector, which is a major source of livelihood for coastal communities. The DA expects the bioreactor to boost production and improve the competitiveness of Philippine seaweed products globally.