Floating Seaweed Dryer

In late November 2020, Mampang Seaweeds Planters Association (MASEPLA) in Zamboanga City officially launched their new floating seaweed dryer—delivered through USAID’s Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative. This catalytic investment in the organization’s local enterprise will help improve the quality of their harvested seaweed. The floating dryer provides MASEPLA members the convenience in hauling their harvest from their farms to the drying area and reduces the time for drying seaweed—one of the labor-intensive tasks done by women fisherfolk. Using the design developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the dryer was built with UV-treated sheets to prevent the seaweed from being exposed to rain, sand and other contaminants, helping ensure the harvest’s quality and right amount of moisture that traders require. In addition to conducting post-construction quality assessment of the dryer, DOST also provided MASEPLA with technical assistance on crafting operations and maintenance policies for the dryer’s proper use and upkeep. Through the W-GDP Initiative, USAID’s Protect Wildlife project also supported MASEPLA to upgrade the members’ skills in managing their enterprise through a business planning training facilitated by the Department of Trade and Industry. Trainees developed a three-year enterprise plan that includes activities for conserving mangrove forests in their coastal community. Under the W-GDP Initiative, Protect Wildlife targets to support 20 enterprises with active women members and aims to benefit around 5,000 household members by strengthening the economic benefits derived from biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of natural resources. W-GDP support for women’s livelihoods includes training on organizational development, training on improved production and post-harvest technologies, strengthening access to credit, and facilitating marketing agreements and networking opportunities. Other projects sites of Protect Wildlife Projects also started to use the seaweed dryer and prosper to the outcome brought by this innovation.