MAFAR Fisheries Sector trains Fisherfolks on sustainable aquaculture

ANDAG, Maguindanao- A total of 35 fisherfolk from six cooperatives headed by Chairman of Poblacion Buluan Agriculture Cooperative, Ramzan K. Bagumbayan, undergone training on Fish Hatchery Production, Grow-out, and Management.

The Fish Production Divison of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform conducted a two-day training last November 3-4.

Asmailyn B. Macalimbang, Aquaculturist II, said fishery is an important economic sector of the region, and it is vital to the livelihood of the majority of the people in the island provinces and marshy areas where it provides substantial employment and income for some segments of the population.

In our region, Lake Buluan is the top 6 largest lakes in the Philippines with a total area of 6,000 hectares and the most productive lakes in the Bangsamoro region with a total catch of 1,200 kg per day, Macalimbang said.

Fish farming has been a traditional means of producing food intended for immediate consumption level that helps satisfy the protein requirements of rural areas in the region that do not have ready access to locally-produced animal protein.

She said during this pandemic, and we realized the importance of food availability and sustainability in our region.
The participants have undergone hands-on training in the technical aspects at their fishpond at Barangay Malangit, Pandag, Maguindanao.

Bagumbayan said that they realized the importance of food hatchery facilities in respective inland aquaculture areas. If they have established their own, they can accommodate more Bangsamoro fisherfolk around Lake Buluan, including Liguwasan marsh and adjacent areas.

Topics discussed were Catfish Hatchery and Management, Tilapia and Carp Hatchery Production, Tilapia Grow-out, ROI, and Payback Period.