by Rollin Dave M. Elloren

Baybay, Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental โ As they celebrate yet another milestone in their bangus farming venture, the Baybay United Fisherfolk Association (BUFA) has successfully harvested 3.1 tons of aquaculture fish under the Bangus Culture in Pond project of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region-10 (BFAR-10) Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2.
On November 7, the SAAD program, through its Provincial Project Management Support Office (PPMSO) in Misamis Occidental, conducted a harvest field day to showcase the bountiful yield and highlight the positive impact of the project on the local communityโs livelihood.
The BUFA received support from this project in 2023, where they were provided with 10,000 bangus fingerlings for their first cropping, which resulted in a harvest of 2.4 tons in January, and in their second cropping cycle, they also harvested 1.3 tons from 5,000 fingerlings in June.
Motivated by their previous year’s harvest results and their growing knowledge of bangus farming, BUFA took the initiative to increase the scale of their operation by deciding to culture 10,000 bangus fingerlings, instead of the original allocation of 7,000 pieces, for their third cropping cycle.
To support this expansion, BUFA was granted 10,000 bangus fingerlings and 137 sacks of commercial feed to boost production, enhance sustainability, and further strengthen their bangus farming operations.
Additionally, the association committed to cover the additional expenses, particularly the cost of feed, through their existing income, which demonstrates their commitment to self-sufficiency and maximizing the impact of SAAD’s resources.
Of the total 3.1 tons of bangus harvested, 2,548 kilos were sold to Mr. Joel Braza, owner JOBRA fish farm, a fish trader who delivers the fresh bangus to Bacolod City, while 552 kilos were sold locally, generating an estimated income of P313,942.00.
Looking ahead, the association plans to reinvest the income from the harvest into their 4th cropping cycle, while also allocating funds to support the growth and sustainability of the associationโs operations and initiatives.
This yearโs harvest reflects the positive outcomes of their decision, as it provides substantial support to the membersโ income and reinforces the sustainable livelihood goals of the program.
Moreover, the continued support from the SAAD Phase 2 Program highlights BFAR-10โs commitment to rural development through partnerships that promote economic independence and environmental stewardship.
Writer: ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐น๐ผ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ๐/๐ฅ๐๐ ๐
Photo Credit: ๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐ญ๐ฌ /๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ ๐ฆ๐ข ๐ ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ถ๐ ๐ข๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น
About DA-BFAR SAAD Phase 2:
The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-BFAR SAAD) Program Phase 2 aims to contribute to poverty reduction and improve the living conditions of vulnerable fisherfolk and their communities by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities and support for poor fishing sectors. These interventions intend to complement the DA banner programs and assist beneficiaries in establishing community-based fishery enterprises. The BFAR-SAAD strives to enhance food security and promote economic growth in targeted areas across the Philippines.




