Aquaculture Technology Brought to Cagayan Valley

Acccording to BusinessMirror, polyculture, or the scientific process of raising two or more noncompeting fishery species in single or common culture system, could raise farmer’s income through the optimum use of inputs and culture area. Jovita Ayson, regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) in Cagayan Valley, told the news organisation that the polyculture projects last year which combined ulang (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), tilapia, carp and tilapia, common carp, African catfish, had achieved a 93 per cent and 58 per cent additional net income, respectively, compared to pure semi-intensive tilapia farming.

Pangasius—a fast growing and hardy fish—culture would also be reintroduced, according to Ayson. It has been proven that the culture is feasible in fishpond, fish cage and organic-culture systems within the region’s range of weather conditions.

To address the inadequate supply of fingerlings, fishery officials have established a hatchery at a station in San Mateo, Isabela. The bureau and the Office of Provincial Agriculturist-Cagayan also proposed to the Department of Agriculture the construction of a pangasius hatchery in Bantay, Camalaniugan, Cagayan.