Wednesday, January 14, 2009 BFAR steps up promotion of aquaculture products By Joy Romares-Sevilla
INTENSIFYING the production of aquaculture species in Davao Region this year would not only mean sustaining its production, but also promoting other species that could provide livelihood and employment.
This is one of the thrusts of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Southern Mindanao this year as it sees aquaculture sector as the driver for growth for the overall fisheries production in the region.
BFAR Director for Southern Mindanao George Campeon told Sun.Star that aside from the promotion of existing aquaculture species, such as tilapia, African hito, bangus, and pangasius, BFAR will also promote freshwater shrimp this year.
In fact, Campeon said BFAR is planning to have a caravan for the freshwater shrimp throughout the country to further promote the species to breeders and potential investors.
The caravan is slated in May this year.
The caravan will be rolled out in every region in the country and its culminating activities are slated in Davao City.
"I have attended to a national summit in Dagupan (later last year) and we reviewed why freshwater shrimps have not taken off," Campeon said.
"During the summit, we also came up with recommendations on where we can get breeders for the species."
Campeon claimed that the bureau has identified lack of breeders as one of the reasons the species has not taken off. They also learned that consumers have a little recognition of the species, "in other words, there is a problem with the market."
Campeon also revealed that freshwater shrimp is a good opportunity for breeders since it is more expensive -- its prices range from P300 to P500 per kilogram.
"There is also lack of production of freshwater shrimps. Today, only Region 3 (Central Luzon) produces it, that is why the production is low," he said.
Campeon said during the summit, they have identified 14 focal areas in every region where the species could be grown and produced. He, however, failed to name these areas.
