MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (Jan. 30) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 (BFAR-10), through its Provincial Fisheries Office of Bukidnon (PFO-Bukidnon), and in coordination with the Local Government and City Agriculture Office of Valencia, conducted a Harvest Field Day of the Tilapia Culture in Pond (TCiP) Technology Demonstration Project last January 30 in Brgy. Banlag.

With tilapia cultivated in a 500-square-meter pond for 144 days, the Banlag Fisherfolk Association (BFA) achieved a remarkable harvest of 350 kilograms of tilapia, with an average body weight of 224 grams at 1.1 feed conversion ratio, indicating efficient feed utilization. The amount of feed used for each kilogram of fish produced is relatively low under normal culture conditions resulting in higher productivity.

Sold at 150 pesos per kilo, the association earned a total income of 52,500 pesos, a significant accomplishment surpassing the projected outputs for all technology demonstration projects in the province.

The activity was also highlighted with messages of support from City Councilor and Agriculture Committee Chair, Rogelio Hera, City Agriculture Officer, Connie Dalangan, and Provincial Fishery Officer in Bukidnon, Gekie Sy.

Further, local officials and BFAR-10 committed to support the association’s plan to expand its fishpond operations. 

In response, BFA President Edgardo Bandoy expressed his gratitude to the city officials and BFAR-10.

“Ang among area gi-develop jud namo alang usab sa mga proyekto sa gobyerno, mao among gipaningkamotan nga maayo ang resulta niini aron nga kini ang mamahimong sumbanan sa among mga myembro ug sa uban pang mga farmers nga gusto mu-lambigit sa sama niining pagpamuhi sa isda,” said Bandoy.

(We developed our area also to accommodate government projects, which is why we strive for good results so that this will serve as a model for our members and other farmers who want to engage in fish farming.)

Additionally, Edgardo Bandoy signified his intention to venture into a satellite hatchery project to cater to the needs of tilapia fingerlings in the locality.

This initiative underscores BFAR’s continuous undertaking to boost productivity in the aquaculture industry as an additional and sustainable source of food and income for the community.