Through its Grants-In-Aid (GIA) program, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has released more than PHP3 million to establish solar-driven seaweed nursery farms and floating dryer facilities in 6 conflict-vulnerable communities in Zamboanga Sibugay.

DOST 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) Director Martine Wee said Thursday the recipients of the GIA program were the local government units (LGUs) of Alicia, Payao, Mabuhay, Talusan, and Olutanga and the Katipunan Vegetable and Agar-Agar Grower’s Association (KVAGA) in Barangay Magdaup, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Wee said each of the five LGUs received PHP501,990, while the KVAGA received PHP493,500.

He said the project aims to improve the quality of seaweeds by using science-and-technology-based farming to ensure seedlings are free of disease and impurities, which would result in increased value by about 43 percent of the current price.

The DOST’s GIA program provides grants for the implementation of programs and projects that fall under the identified DOST priority sectors and aims to strengthen these sectors in research and development, promotion, technology transfer and utilization, human
resource development, information dissemination, advocacy, and linkages.

Meanwhile, Wee said those who want to avail of the GIA program may contact the agency for the requirements. (PNA)