MAFAR distributes 67k tilapia fingerlings to Maguindanao fisherfolk
COTABATO CITY- In line with the celebration of the 3rd BARMM Foundation Anniversary, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform spearheaded by the Fisheries Services and FishCORAL Project has distributed sixty-seven thousand pcs of Fingerlings of Tilapia, Thursday, January 20.
Two cooperatives and eight individuals from Maguindanao received the fingerlings, and one bag of Starter and one bag of Finisher feeds.
Also, 120 units of sewing machines with supporting materials in support to the women fisherfolk livelihood.
The 45 bags of feeds (25 kgs each bag) amounted to Php 45,000, and the sewing machines were from the FishCoral project while the fingerlings were from MAFAR Hatchery at MSU-D.O.S. Maguindanao.
Director-General for Fisheries, Pendatun S. Patarasa, said the fingerlings or tilapia is one of the most important species in the BARMM, especially for our fish growers or aquaculturists.
He said the MAFAR has its mandate to promote agri-fishery growth for sustainable development in the BARMM. We are fully aware that we need to sustain aquaculture development and increase fisheries production in the Bangsamoro; we have to improve our hatchery, technical capacity, and provision and give them appropriate technical assistance, especially to small scale growers.
The provision of fingerlings and feeds is one of the directions of MAFAR under the leadership of Minister Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D, that if we are providing fingerlings, there should be coupled with feeds, Patarasa said.
He also lauded the assistance of the FishCoral project in reducing the poverty incidence thru their livelihood projects.
Director for Fisheries Services Macmod D. Mamalangkap said this activity is in support of food security, and he also emphasizes to the recipients that they must take care of the fingerlings so that they will grow and eventually will help their family on food sustenance and economic upliftment.
The ceremonial activity was also attended by the Fisheries Services Division Chiefs and the beneficiary recipients.