Fish farming profitable business in Cordillera

By Lito Dar

BAGUIO CITY -- Aquaculture such as fish farming is viable, sustainable and profitable business here in Cordillera.

This was affirmed by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Assistant Regional Director LilibethSigney, in an interview over PIA Hour radio program over DZWT last week.

According to Signey, there are now more and more Cordilleran entrepreneurs who are venturing on fish farming especially on culturing ‘tilapia’, ‘hito’ (mudfish), fresh water prawn, ‘yuyu’ and ‘Pangasius’.

Signey said fish farming is also a profitable business in the region which is still experiencing ‘deficit’ on fish supply even with ‘tilapia’ that is now being produced in the area.

She also encouraged entrepreneurs to venture into the fishery sector as aside from the high viability and profitability, they could also help in ensuring more fish supply for the region, aside from creating employment.

Signey added the BFAR also has programs that could help would be entrepreneurs such as training, technical assistance and in ensuring the availability of ‘inputs’ (fingerlings) for their fish farm.

“We also have what we call as techno demo project wherein our office provides construction materials for fish farming facilities for qualified beneficiaries, may it be an LGU, cooperative, associations or even an individual who have the capability and interest to venture in such business”, Signey said.

She also announced that all the Cordillera provinces have provincial fishery officer and any interested LGU, association or individual just need to is to approach them, show their business proposal and proposed project sites so that it could be evaluated in terms of the feasibility of the project”, Signey added.

To also ensure that fish farmers would have proper and well equipped venue to sell their products, BFAR is also venturing into the establishment of ‘Bagsakan ng Isda sa Barangay’ project.