Fisherfolk-partners from Cagayan reported significant increase in their tilapia fry production after adopting package of technologies (POTs) on modified intensive tilapia hatchery (MITH) and fry rearing introduced by DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) and DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) through its National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center (NFFTC) and regional offices.  

“Naka-produce ang aking farm ng 1.5 M na tilapia fry sa loob ng isang taon dahil sa teknolohiyang aking natutunan mula sa proyekto. Nakatutulong din ako sa mga kapwa ko mangingisda sa mga kalapit bayan dahil nakakapag-supply ako sa kanila ng mga tilapia fry,” Hermogenes Dinggil, a project beneficiary from Tuao, Cagayan, said. 

In 2020, DA-NFRDI and DA-BFAR-NFFTC implemented a project to improve site-specific protocols on tilapia hatchery and nursery production in CAR, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon. In collaboration with DA-BFAR regional offices in the said four regions, grow-out cooperators in selected barangays received technical assistance and were monitored in carrying out the target yield production despite the limitations during the pandemic. 

“Isang malaking problema dito sa amin sa Cagayan ang kakaunting supply ng fingerlings para sa mga nag-aalaga at nagpapalaki ng tilapia,” Dinggil said.

With funding support from the DA-BAR, the said project also aimed to strengthen the capacity of village-level hatcheries and nurseries by increasing tilapia fry production and validate the cost effectiveness of the POTs on MITH and nursery rearing developed by DA-BFAR-NFFTC. 

“The adoption of the technology is valuable not only on the community level but rather improves food sufficiency of the country and empowers communities to take control of their own food security while augmenting their income,” DA-BFAR-NFFTC chief and co-project leader Jodecel C. Danting explained.

“Isa sa pinakamahalagang natutunan ko sa pamamagitan ng proyektong ito ay ang tamang pagkokondisyon ng mga breeders para makapag-produce ng maraming tilapia fry. Mahalaga pala ang paghihiwalay ng mga lalaki at babaeng breeders sa loob ng isa hanggang dalawang linggo bago sila pagsamahin para makapagparami,” Dinggil said.

He also highlighted the importance of pond preparation, proper feeding, constant monitoring, and appropriate sex ratio of breeders in boosting tilapia fry production.

Felimon Guzman Jr., another cooperator from Cagayan, reported that he was able to produce 918,606 fry after adopting the technology. 

A total of eight village level hatcheries and nurseries in Northern Luzon were strengthened through the adoption of the POTs on MITH and fry rearing of tilapia to advance fingerling stage.

During the project implementation, the beneficiaries were able to cater a total of 497 tilapia grow-out operators in the four regions. The targeted yield of 4-5 metric tons (MT) per hectare was achieved with CAR attaining 1.2-6.4 MT, Ilocos region with 2.1-7 MT, Cagayan with 5-14.5 MT, and Central Luzon with 9.2-23.5 MT.

“Under the leadership and guidance of DA-NFRDI executive director Dr. Lilian C. Garcia and DA-BFAR director Eduardo Gongona, the adoption of MITH and nursery rearing of fry resulted to a real Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita among the project beneficiaries as shown in the significant differences in increase in profit per hectare between before and after the project interventions," DA-NFRDI Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Center chief and project leader Dr. Maria Theresa M. Mutia said. (### Angelo N. Padura)