MAFAR, MSU ink MOA on the adoption of improved commercial-scale Mangrove Crab hatchery nursery system
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform, and Mindanao State University-Maguindanao, signed the Memorandum of Agreement on Adoption of Improved Commercial Scale Mangrove Crab Hatchery Nursery System on December 6 at Graduate School, MSU-Maguindanao.
The mangrove (mud) crab or locally known as ‘alimango,’ is one of the commercially important crustaceans in the Philippines that MSU-Maguindanao is promoting.
Mindanao State University-Maguindanao has constructed hatchery-nursery facilities under the project “Adoption of Improved Commercial-scale Mangrove Crab Hatchery-Nursery System” in Parang, Maguindanao funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technologor (DOST) intended for the production of Mangrove crab seed stock (crablets).
The main goal of the project is to mass produce crablets to address the problem of inadequate supply of crablets for farming and capacitate the local fisherfolks, including former combatants in the Bangsamoro Region, on mangrove crab farming.
Under the signed MoA, the MAFAR is tasked with the following: identifying/selecting the participants/beneficiaries for the establishment of crab farming units based on set criteria (e.g., owns or leases pond, former combatants, willing to invest in the operation, interests in mangrove crab farming, etc.); Provides farm inputs (crablets, fish nettings) to beneficiaries; Markets and assists in the marketing of crabs produce.
It also allows MSU-Maguindanao project staff, upon prior notice to MAFAR, full access to the farm units and records of the beneficiaries, provided that the Data Privacy Act and other privacy protection laws of the Philippines shall be observed; and Allows third-party visitor(s) who may be interested in observing the operations and with prior written permission from both MSU-Maguindanao and MAFAR to visit the farm units of beneficiaries.
MAFAR Chief of Staff Arphia T. Ebus, JD, led the signing with other key officials, including MSU-Maguindanao Chancellor Bai Hejira Nefertiti S.M. Limbona, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Research Extension/Project Leader Ramjie Y. Odin, Ph.D. BDG for Fisheries Pendatun S. Patarasa, Director II for Fisheries Operations Macmod D. Mamalangkap, Dir. Noel A. Catibog, Director for Technology Transfer and Promotion Division, and other officials and staff.