BFAR assures better income for Region 2 fish farmers

TUGUEGARAO, Philippines – Fish farmers in the Cagayan Valley region will continue to expect higher returns this year as the programs outlined by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) include the introduction of several cost-reduction and productivity enhancement technologies for 2009. Recognizing the burden borne by fish farmers from high costs of feeds, BFAR said it will launch the widespread promotion of duckweeds as supplemental feeds for tilapia, bangus, pangasius and carp. Duckweeds are tiny free-floating plants with crude protein content of 18-42 percent. A study made at the bureau’s fish farm in Iguig, Cagayan has determined the viability of using this rapidly-reproducing plant as alternative diet without adverse effect on the growth of tilapia. The study has determined that an optimum feeding combination of 50 percent fresh duckweeds and 50 percent commercial feeds have achieved higher growth rates compared to the treatment that used pure commercial feeds. In its report, BFAR noted that a 1,000 square meter semi-intensive fishpond using the feed combination can easily cut feed expenses by more than 10 thousand pesos on 1 culture cycle of 4 - 5 months or more than 100 thousand pesos for 1 hectare. BFAR Regional Director Jovita Ayson said, “About 50 percent actual savings can be achieved from this technology since costs of commercial feeds have risen from 10 to 25 percent based on 2008 figures, while retail price of tilapia had remained constant. “Duckweeds will help us address dependence on imported corn as raw material for feeds which is currently around 90 percent of total national requirement," said Ayson. BFAR is also set to establish 10 duckweed demo sites for the whole region. A fish hatchery to address the inadequate supply of fingerlings is also being eyed at its station in San Mateo, Isabela. A Pangasius hatchery is also being worked out between BFAR and the Office of Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) at the latter’s facility in Bantay, Camalaniugan, Cagayan. Other aquaculture technologies to be introduced are urban, upland and mangrove aquaculture, and the 45-days delayed feeding technology for Tilapia. The agency will also introduce culture of high value species such as abalone, mud crab, and sea urchin. To support its flagship fingerling production and dispersal program, Ayson bared the rationalization of 6 BFAR fish farms in the region with the aim to maximize utilization of area and increased fingerling production. The agency has targeted the production of 12.29 million fingerlings and 1 million oyster spats this year as measure to increase dispersal to its LGU and fish farmer clientele in the region. On the coastal and marine front, the fisheries bureau will distribute environment friendly fishing gears such as fish trap, troll line, long line and gill nets in addition to the implementation of regulatory activities. BFAR will also continue with its widespread distribution and installation of fish aggregating devices or “payao." Ayson said that the interventions will help address the ongoing economic crisis and will enable the region to raise production levels from 62,000 metric tons in 2008 to 66,400 MT for 2009. - GMANews.TV