Beneficiaries of tilapia fingerlings were Alfred Bawiyan of Barangay Talubin, Rowena Paducar and Herman Farnican of Maligcong, Junie Afaten of Caneo, Mario Kumafay and Johnny Calaoa of Samoki, Franing Fagsao of Mainit, and Lando Lan-eo of Bontoc Ili.
Bontoc agriculturist Renato Falag-ey said fish farmers were provided with the fingerlings after they underwent training on fish production and their fishponds were evaluated for viability and sustainability.
BFAR has been providing fish fingerlings particularly tilapia to local government units, associations, and even individuals interested and capable to venture in fish production as fish farming is found to be viable, sustainable and profitable business in the province.
Agriculture officials have been encouraging entrepreneurs to venture in fish farming stressing that it could help ensure more fish supply in the province and also create employment. Fish suppliers for the province usually come from regions 1 and 2.
Falag-ey said groups or individuals with ready fishpens or ponds and are trained in fish raising could request for their fingerlings from the BFAR.
Meanwhile, two women’s group, namely, Bontoc Ili Everlasting Women’s Organization and the Sac-angan, Caluttit Young Mothers Organization were the latest recipients of 80 kilos of fish or 40 kilos each from the BFAR under its Bagsakan ng Isda sa Barangay Project.
The women’s groups buy fish from BFAR at P95 per kilo and sell it to end consumers at P125 per kilo.
Under the Bagsakan ng Isda sa Barangay Program, organization beneficiaries can keep on accessing fish from BFAR to sell to their members or to their barangay mates provided they pay BFAR their previous stocks.
Government is making fish available and is advocating fish production as one measure to address the malnutrition problem especially among children.
