The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) is exploring the feasibility of using seaweed for animal feeds amid the spike in the prices of commercial feeds.
Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano said, “’In the future, we are looking at the conversion of seaweeds as feeds for our livestock to relieve the local animal raisers from the high cost of commercial feeds in the market. We are tapping the expertise of Mr. Lionil Henri Valentin Dabbadie, the country representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN, for the exploration of the making of seaweeds as commercial feeds for farm animals and livestock.”
The Philippines, as one of the world’s largest island nation, offers abundant seaweed resources that grow in its coastal waters. Seaweeds are relatively cheaper and are very rich sources of protein.
Seaweed is a sustainable source of macronutrients, particularly dietary fiber, and micronutrients to animal feed. It provides several antioxidants which can increase the animals longevity and may lower the risk of infections. There are 3 major benefits of using seaweed in poultry feed and they include improving animal immune system, decreasing microbial load in the digestive tract, and raising beneficial nutrient content on the meat and egg.
