AGUSAN DEL SUR, December 2, 2021 – Nineteen (19) individual tilapia hatchery operators along with ten (10) fisheries coordinators from Agusan del Sur were granted access to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) fish hatchery facilities to learn management and operations.

The participants are beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program’s FY 2021 Tilapia Backyard Hatchery project worth Php 469,955.20. The project includes provision of inputs such as tilapia fry, feeds, B-net, fine mesh net, and medical oxygen.

Held in two batches, operators from Bayugan, Esperanza, Talacogon, Sibagat, and San Luis were trained at Kitcharao Technology Outreach Station (KTOS) in Agusan del Norte on November 12 while operators from Rosario, Bunawan, Trento, Santa Josefa, Veruela, and Loreto visited Nabunturan Technology Outreach Station (NTOS) in Davao de Oro on November 19. Both facilities operate a freshwater hatchery system.

The activity aims to assist the beneficiaries for a successful implementation of the project. Operators were taught proper management of the hatchery and various techniques such as breeding, sexing, sorting, and packing of fry and fingerlings.

The Provincial Fisheries Office of Agusan del Sur in coordination with Chief of KTOS Laila Holoyohoy and Chief of NTOS Maricel Antiga spearheaded the activity as part of its SAAD Capacity Development intervention. ###

Writer: Bimbo C. Lagare (OIC, PFO-ADS/SAAD Provincial Focal)