NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur (PIA) -- Six months after the national government gave 80,000 tilapia fingerlings to fisherfolks in Tigaon town, they staged their first Tilapia Harvest Festival on April 5, selling 4,500 kilos of the African freshwater fish.

The fisherfolks compose the Tigaon Inland Fisherfolk Association (TIFA), which in October last year, was awarded a total of P1.4 million worth of tilapia techno demo project under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program of the Department of Agriculture.

Rowena Briones, public information officer of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for the Bicol region, said that the harvest festival served as a promotional strategy and initiative of the government to showcase tilapia products, expand the market of the beneficiaries, and increase their profits.

"The festival highlighted community involvement and support from other government agencies. Staff and employees purchased various fishery products from the beneficiaries," said Briones.

During the festival, BFAR provided livelihood interventions, including motorized boats, seaweed farming packages, and fishing gear. 

Additionally, post-harvest materials and equipment for tinapa-making were distributed, and a tilapia techno demo project was conducted to train tilapia harvesters on proper fishpond management techniques and the use of other resources like fertilizers and water quality.

In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directives to steer the agricultural and fishery industry, the SAAD program for Tigaon fisherfolk aims to increase their production profits and market enterprise. 

Briones said that the SAAD program is committed to boosting its efforts to aid the needs of Tigaon fisherfolks, create more livelihood opportunities and reduce economic challenges.

TIFA president Manuel Culaway said that the harvest festival played a vital role in their growth. 

He said that they could harvest tilapia in bulk and sell them at a low cost of production. 

This has motivated them to continue adding value to their livelihood by gaining knowledge and experience about tilapia culturing and harvest. 

Culaway also said that the harvest festival would enable them to establish their office and selling area in Barangay San Antonio, Tigaon. 

He added that they are now empowered to continue the fruits of their labor and government assistance.

During the festival, around 10,000 tilapia fingerlings were distributed to 10 beneficiaries from the same association. 

Crisel Angela Tosoc, a gourmet cooking expert from the Department of Trade and Industry, trained around 30 association members on tilapia gourmet cooking. (PIA 5/Camarines Sur)