The biology and culture of famous tilapia in ponds and cages is among the modern food technology that would boost the country’s food production and spur economic growth, said Senator Cynthia A. Villar.
Realizing the importance of modern food technology, Villar said she has been pushing for the training of trainors on Freshwater Aquaculture Training course. On Friday, she said another batch of trainors graduated from the Freshwater Aquaculture Training course.
Villar, chairman of the Senate agriculture and food committee, said they will be fielded to teach farmers and fisherfolks in the different parts of the country.
The senator, who is also the director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance congratulated the 30 graduates who came from the National Capital Region, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Romblon, Quezon, Mindoro Oriental and the Bicol Region, during the closing rites at the Villar SIPAG Farm School in Bacoor, Cavite.
“As trainors, we now depend on you to spread the knowledge downloaded to you by the experts. When you go back to your respective provinces and communities, share to your colleagues what you have learned,” she said.
The five-day training Villar SIPAG conducts in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, involves biology and culture of tilapia in ponds/cages where trainees learned to breed and culture GET-EXCEL Tilapia, Red Tilapia and Ulang.
The participants also learned how to culture natural food for fish; and to safe keep and inventory data related to fish culture.
Trainees were also taught fish health management such as fish and shrimp diseases and treatment, handling water quality as requirement for aquaculture, and managing fish kill investigation. They were also briefed on the process of farm registration/ accreditation. Fish processing was also included in the program.
Participants were taught fish processing technologies in making fish ball, kikiam, embutido, patty, nuggets and its potential for livelihood. It also increased the knowledge and understanding of participants on proper handling and processing of fish and fishery products; and helped participants obtain the importance of good manufacturing practices and sanitation standard operating procedures in compliance to food safety.
The program also covers aquaponics and demonstrated a small-scale model of integrated aquaponics system that will highlight the benefits of lesser cost of production. It also evaluated the economic variability of the production system as an alternative livelihood in urban areas Trainees were also taught how to breed and culture freshwater ornamental fishes; how to culture natural/live food for ornamental fish; how to produce healthy and quality fish fingerlings; and how to mend breeding cage and packaging techniques.
