TADIAN, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE, December 9, 2020 – The Tadian Farmers, Fisherfolk and Irrigators Association’s (TAFFIA) twin tank village-type fish hatchery located in Luk-eb Calacaban, Tue, Tadian provided by the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is now operational after an inauguration and blessing ceremony.

The group received the said project on September 3 but its operations were postponed due to lockdown restrictions brought by the CoViD-19 pandemic.

See Livelihood fishery projects distributed in Mountain Province

The project includes tilapia breeders, hapa nets, and additional fingerlings to further provide fish seed to the fisherfolk of Mountain Province.

“With the twin tank village-type hatchery, we are hoping that the TAFFIA will continue to pour their unity, willingness, and efforts to sustain the project and help in the improvement of fish production in the province. The agency is very willing to help as we have seen the relentless effort of the organization. May this hatchery serve as an inspiration to the fisherfolk of the province to produce more fish,” said BFAR-CAR Director Lilibeth L. Signey.

Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. joined the activity to show his gratitude to the bureau for its continuous and unending efforts and dedication in ensuring that different fishery projects and programs are delivered in the province. In order to sustain these developments, Gov. Lacwasan said that the provincial government will be resolute in extending support for the fisherfolk and farmers in the province.

Added to this, Provincial Veterinary Officer Rodelio B. Bagawi emphasized that the project is an essential component in the production of fish.

“Increase in production, income, and profit will not be realized if there is no breeding program which will produce stocks,” Bagawi said.

Supervising Agriculturist Rolando B. Bragado, added that the important role of the hatchery is increasing fish production in the province while minimizing shipment from other areas.

Dir. Signey also added that there have been several hatcheries put up in the province in the past years but stopped operation for some time due to some circumstances. Thus, she was overwhelmed with how TAFFIA members work in unity with the determination to support fish production within the province.

Dir. Signey and Gov. Lacwasan led the ribbon-cutting while Father Jonathan Apil officiated the blessing of the facility. The activity was initiated by TAFFIA in coordination with the local government unit and BFAR-Provincial Fisheries Office.

TAFFIA earns Php 90k from Tilapia Pond Culture Project

Aside from the operational fish hatchery, 98 members of the TAFFIA reported Php 90,600 income from the Tilapia Pond Culture Project.

The group received the tilapia fingerlings on July 18 and stocked them in a 140 square meters’ (m²) pond area. After four months of the culture period, the members harvested 755 kilograms (kgs) of tilapia which were sold at Php 120/kg.

Another 52 members of the group with an average pond area of 100 m² each are expected to harvest this December and in January 2021. ###

Writers: Mary Tauli, BFAR-CAR Aquaculturist II and Rodelyn Foronda, BFAR-CAR Community Development Officer I
Copy Editor: Jennifer Valcobero, SAAD NPMO Public Relation and Comms Officer