M’LANG, Cotabato (PIA)— The National Irrigation Administration-M’lang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System is set to conduct more training on fish production to provide irrigators associations with additional knowledge to sustain their aquaculture farms.
The training will be conducted in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and local government units in the MMRIS service area.
Engineer Milbrend Anne Alburo, MMRIS chief of system, said the plan came about in preparation for NIA-MMRIS’ goal of replicating the project in other areas of the municipality and neighboring town.
“NIA-MMRIS targets other farmer-beneficiaries as new recipients of the program not only in M’lang but also in Tulunan,” Alburo stated.
Meanwhile, the Dugong-Langkong-Sangat Irrigators Association recently conducted its first harvest festival at its aquafarm in Barangay Langkong.
More than 90 kilograms of tilapia were harvested at the aquaculture project’s pilot area and sold for P150 per kilogram.
“For now, DLS IA is into fish breeding to supply other farmers who need fingerlings to start their own fishponds,” Alburo noted, adding that the project’s total expenses were taken from the IA’s P1.3 million prize for winning the NIA’s search for Most Outstanding IA in 2021.
The chief of system also said that in the next season, the IA will begin to grow tilapia using its own capital or funds.
Meanwhile, aside from the DLS IA, the Bialong-Inas-Magallon-Dungguan Irrigators Association in Barangay Bialong has also partnered with BFAR for the same project and is set to have its harvest festival in April.
The aquaculture project is one of the strategies of the NIA and BFAR to promote aquaculture, augment farmers’ incomes and provide fresh and affordable food to communities. (SJDM, PIA Region 12)
