CVAO, BFAR disperse 11,75 fingerlings to local fisherfolk

The City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) under Dr. Silardo Bested, in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Cordillera (BFAR-CAR), distributed a total of 11,750 fingerlings (9,600 tilapia and 2,150 catfish) to 58 beneficiaries in the Summer Capital from April to October, this year.

The dispersal was conducted from April to October, this year, in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region(BFAR-CAR).

Aira Tad-o, CVAO project technical assistant and focal person for aquaponics, said beneficiaries included aquaponics enthusiasts, local schools and fisherfolk from several organizations like the San Andreas Strawberry Growers Association, Bilis Sto. Tomas Central Farmers Livelihood Association, Pacdal Cultivators Association, Binnadang Smith Organization and Barangay Happy Hollow Farmers Organization.

The fingerlings were sourced from the BFAR Provincial Fishery Office in Benguet, Technology Outreach Stations of the Bureau, La Trinidad Regional Fish Farm and BFAR Rizal Lowland Fish Farm.

Most of the farmer-fisherfolk beneficiaries engage in semi-intensive culture within small water impoundments, locally known as “kuelo”, and these serve dual purpose roles by supporting both fish culture and crop irrigation, Tad-o said.

She added that the dispersal activity aims to contribute to sustainable food security in the highly urbanized city of Baguio by increasing fish production.

The project is in line with one of the city government’s 7-point core agenda which is economic recovery and development. – Catherin Cimatu and Gaby Keith