Cagayan group produces chips, noodles from Guraman

THE Women in Fisheries Enterprises of Gonzaga (WFEG) in Cagayan province has adopted the technology of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in producing nutritious seaweed chips and seaweed noodles.

Sanny Cortez, WFEG head, said their products use Guraman (Gracilaria species) as base material as it is «a unique ingredient that adds to the nutritive value of the finished products.»

The Marketing Section of the Fisheries Production and Support Services Division of BFAR Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) said it is actively involved in the marketing and promotion of science-based innovative products like those produced by WFEG.

Gracilaria, a type of seaweed species that is locally known as Guraman, belongs to the red algae family.

BFAR said this seaweed species holds ecological importance by supporting aquatic ecosystems as habitats and food sources not only for Cagayan Valley but also for the whole country.

Guraman is edible and can be farmed to support local agar production, a versatile substance used in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Known for their high agar content, Gracilaria species contribute to the food industry and are consumed as food in some cultures.

It is also a viable source of income among fisherfolk in the coastal towns of Gonzaga, Buguey and Claveria in Cagayan and in other coastal areas where Guraman abundantly thrives.

«The production of Gracilaria sp[ecies] is one of the bureau's programs to increase seaweed production in suitable farming sites as well as to showcase the technology in culturing these commercially important seaweeds for local consumption and for distribution to fisherfolk beneficiaries to feed Rabbit fish,» BFAR said.