The P1.6 million Department of Agriculture and BFAR Integrated Aquaculture Development Project aims to establish a system of fishponds and fishcages that would develop the thriving Hito and Tilapia industry in the flooded barangays of Carmen.
The project which is undertaken by the Maligaya Fishfarmers Cooperative (Mafimco) hopes to develop by 2010 at least 740 hectares of unproductive swamps into productive aquaculture areas where they could hope to harvest about 11,000 metric tons of aquatic produce which would generate about P740 million in earnings.
BFAR National Director Atty. Malcolm Sarmiento said the project would help improve the lives of fishfarmers in Carmen and urged stakeholders to help sustain the project.
Sarmiento along with BFAR Region XI director George Campeon graced the inauguration held in Purok 19 in Barangay Ising in Carmen. Davao del Norte Governor Gelacio Gementiza, Carmen Municipal Mayor Jesus Gaviola and Presidential Adviser on New Government Centers and former Governor Rodolfo del Rosario also graced the affair.
Governor Gementiza said that he was delighted with the project and pledged to repair the roads leading to the fishponds and also in joint venture with Mayor Jesus Gaviola to provide streetlighting to these roads.
"I have instructed the provincial engineer to repair these roads and also I would put in about P500, 000 from the supplemental budget as the Provincial Government's share for its streetlighting." Governor Gementiza said.
According to Sec. del Rosario the aquaculture project is part of President Gloria Macapagal's job generation program with various developments in the countryside aimed at providing livelihood opportunities in the agriculture and fishery sectors. (PIA) [top]
Source: Philippine Information Agency (PIA) - 19th May 2006
DavNor aquaculture project launched
PHILIPPINES - An aquaculture project aimed at developing about 740 hectares of waterlogged wastelands in Carmen Municipality was inaugurated last May 17, by Local Government and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) officials.
DavNor aquaculture project launched - PHILIPPINES - An aquaculture project aimed at developing about 740 hectares of waterlogged wastelands in Carmen Municipality was inaugurated last May 17, by Local Government and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) officials.