MOUNTAIN PROVINCE, May 12-15, 2020 – The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) – CAR distributed in the province 300,000 tilapia fingerlings and 16 metric tons (640 bags) of feeds amounting to Php 2,880,000 benefitting 549 fisherfolks and an association with 37 members, the Tadian Farmers Fisherfolks and Irrigators Association (TAFFIA).

The fisherfolks are from the municipalities of Bauko (322), Bontoc (7), Sabangan (79), Sagada (69), Tadian (79), and Barlig (30).

Breakdown of aquaculture inputs are for the 175 pond demo culture projects worth Php 1.75 million; 135 rice-fish culture projects costing Php 1.08 million; and a fish-cage project at Php 50,000. The feeds include fry mash, pre-starter, and starter.

Each pond-culture demo project has an area of 200 square meters (sqm) with a stocking density of 5 pcs/sqm.

For the rice-fish culture project, each beneficiary has an area of 500 sqm at a stocking density of 2 pcs/sqm.

Meanwhile, the fish-cage project operated by the TAFFIA has constructed two cages with each confinement having 120 cubic meters’ water to accommodate a stocking density of 10-15 pcs/cubic meters.

In addition, another 21.3 metric tons (853 bags) of feeds will be distributed after two months of culture.

The distribution of aquaculture inputs was conducted in Bauko, the boundary entry point of Mountain Province and Benguet, with the assistance of the Provincial Fisheries Office and local government units, which facilitated the hauling of interventions going to the respective barangays of the beneficiaries.

The tilapia fingerlings are expected to mature in September.

Interestingly, the Mt. Province contributes the least fish production in CAR with only 0.36% or 15.03 MT (PSA, 2019). SAAD aims to increase fish production and alleviate poverty in the poorest provinces of the region. ###

Writer: Jennifer A. Valcobero, SAAD NPMO PR and Communications Officer

Source: BFAR-CAR