The Philippines, with its wide coves and placid waters, especially in Mindanao, could be a major producer of farmed fish should government focus on the sector, according to one of the biggest fishcage operators of Davao.
Jothon Lanzar of Malalag, Davao Del Sur who operates about 200 fish cages in Malalag Bay alone, said that among the areas where government must provide interventions are:
1. Support in establishing huge Bangus hatcheries under the Private-Public Partnership Scheme;
2. Scientific and technical support in developing and producing low-priced Aqua Feeds using available local materials to bring down the cost of production;
3. Adopt and implement clear policies on Fisheries Development, especially in the face of the prevailing mindset of the country’s economic planners to rely on importation for any shortfall in production.
“Kaya natin talaga maging Top Producer, especially Bangus, kasi malawak ang ating mga baybayin, lalo na sa Mindanao na hindi o bihirang daanan ng bagyo,” Jothon told me when I visited his fish cage area in Malalag yesterday.
He warned that government must act fast because there is an impending astronomical increase in the price of farmed Bangus due to the destruction of the fish production areas in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao because of Typhoon Odette.
Jothon also said that the future of the farmed fish industry is very bright because of the huge demand for fish locally.
“Hindi na kailangan mag-export. Dito palang sa Pilipinas kulang na,” he said.
Jothon is one of the fish cage stakeholders that I am consulting as we prepare to develop at least three areas in the Moro Gulf for Bangus Fish Cage Farming with the support of Filipino-American investors.
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#foodsufficiencyisnationalsecurity!
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
More Stories
Thank You, Dado, Alamada Vegetable Farmers!
1st Batch Of Spanish Goats Arriving End Of April!
Actual Farming Experience!