DOST Region I conducts training on tilapia farming in 3 municipalities of Ilocos Sur
The Department of Science and Technology Region I (DOST-I), through its Provincial Science and Technology Center – Ilocos Sur (PSTSC-IS), conducted series of trainings on Good Aquaculture Practices and Training on Fish Health Management on Tilapia Production at Caoayan and Cabugao, Ilocos Sur on 9-10 March 2022.
Forty-five (45) participants joined the training from the two sites with seventeen (17) coming from Caoayan and Sta Catalina and twenty-eight (28) participants from Cabugao.
Engr. Jordan L. Abad, OIC–PSTC-Ilocos Sur, stated that the training is part of the project titled “Tilapia para sa Pamayanan sa Amianan” which is a component of GALING-PCAARRD Food and Livelihood Program for COVID- 19 affected areas which aims to improve the capacities of the poor to develop and implement livelihood activities during the post lockdown period.
“This intervention will impart proper technologies on tilapia farming that would help increase your income and provide support for starting and to continue your tilapia production,” said Engr. Abad emphasizing that the assistance comes with full package materials and fingerlings as well as feed supplies.
Dr. Elsie J. Cacho, Assistant Professor IV of Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College – Narvacan, introduced the Good Practices on Aquaculture specially in Tilapia Culture and Production.
Meanwhile, Gilbert B. Pulido, Aquaculturist I from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Provincial Office-Ilocos Sur, discussed the topic on Feeding Ratio of Tilapia in different sizes and gave a background on stocking density of Tilapia Culture.
Furthermore, Sancho V. Bilog, OIC-Regional Fisheries Laboratory Division from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, shared her knowledge on Fish Health Management focusing on the different Fish Parasites and Diseases and their Preventative Measures and Treatment.
After the training, tilapia fingerlings and starter feeds were provided to the beneficiaries. A total of 24,500 freshwater tilapia fingerlings were distributed to three Sta Catalina fisherfolks, two fisherfolks of Caoayan and two fish cages of NISAC. Also, 19,000 saline
tilapia fingerlings were awarded to five fisherfolks of Caoayan last March 11, 2021. This specie was recommended to the fisherfolks after a thorough assessment of the production sites by the DOST.
“My fish cage was devastated by the typhoon before, so this project is a big help for me. (Nabagyo idi jay bagik nga fish cage isu tatta agyamanak ta dakkel nga tulong atoy kanyak),” said by Ernanie Pacada, a beneficiary of the project from Caoayan, as she expressed her gratitude for being one of the beneficiaries.
Like Pacada, Melody Baclig of Cabugao was thankful of the project and expressed that they will do their best to raise the fingerlings and roll out another set from it once sold to sustain the project.
The training was conducted in collaboration with the Local Government of Caoayan and Cabugao, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC-Narvacan), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). (By Reynaldo C. Cabatu Jr., DOST-I)
