13/08/2025
Sharing from BFAR 6
๐๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ณ๐ผ๐น๐ธ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฝ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฐ ๐ง๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ ๐ถ๐น๐ธ๐ณ๐ถ๐๐ต
Nueva Valencia, Guimaras - The Igdarapdap Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (IGFFA) successfully harvested more than four tons of milkfish on August 5, 2025, marking the completion of their first six-month culture cycle.
Despite being relatively new to the technology, IGFFA earned a gross income of Php 588,530.00 from the harvest of one out of four units of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) fish cage, with 80% survival rate. The remaining fish cages are expected to produce 12 tons more in the coming months to be marketed at the Iloilo Fish Port.
Ms. Elizabeth Saldo, IGFFA member, shared their experience from their first harvest.
โAng mga challenges sa pag-alaga namon sang bangrus amo ang gabagyo, gaulan, kag mabalod pero mapag-on ang HDPE [fish cage] nga ginhatag samon sang BFAR,โ she said.
IGFFA was organized in 2016 and has 130 members. As a project partner, they received HDPE fish cage units, nipa hut, milkfish fingerlings, feeds, plastic crates and chilling tanks earlier this year. Members also underwent comprehensive training on marine fish cage management and operation to equip them with theoretical and practical knowledge.
IGFFA hopes to expand production in the coming cycles and contribute to local food security and show how community-based aquaculture can thrive with government support and responsible practices.
Implemented under the Department of Agriculture โ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 6โs (DA-BFAR 6) Aquaculture and Mariculture Expansion and Invigoration Project (AMEIP), this initiative positions the association as an up and coming local fish producer in Western Visayas.
This project aligns with the direction of Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. while BFAR 6 Director Remia A. Aparri ensures that fisheries programs, like AMEIP, reach the grassroots. # # #/JFigueroa
