BONIFACIO, Misamis Occidental (PIA) — The Baybay United Fisherfolk Association (BUFA) in Misamis Occidental has reached another milestone as the group successfully harvested 3.1 tons of aquaculture fish under the Bangus Culture in Pond project of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region (BFAR)-10 Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2.
The SAAD program, through its Provincial Project Management Support Office (PPMSO) in Misamis Occidental, conducted a harvest field day to showcase the bountiful yield and highlight the positive impact of the project on the local community’s livelihood.
The BUFA received support from this project in 2023, where they were provided with 10,000 banana fingerlings for their first cropping, which resulted in a harvest of 2.4 tons in January, and in their second cropping cycle, they also harvested 1.3 tons from 5,000 fingerlings in June.
Motivated by their previous year’s harvest results and their growing knowledge of bangus farming, BUFA took the initiative to increase the scale of their operation by deciding to culture 10,000 bangus fingerlings instead of the original allocation of 7,000 pieces for their third cropping cycle.
BUFA received 10,000 bangus fingerlings and 137 sacks of commercial feed to support this expansion, which will increase production, improve sustainability, and fortify their bangus farming operations.
Additionally, the association has committed to covering additional expenses, particularly the cost of feed, through their existing income, demonstrating their commitment to self-sufficiency and maximizing the impact of SAAD’s resources.
Of the total 3.1 tons of bangus harvested, 2,548 kilos were sold to Joel Braza, owner of JOBRA Fish Farm, a fish trader who delivers the fresh bangus to Bacolod City, while 552 kilos were sold locally, generating an estimated income of P313,942.
Looking ahead, the association plans to reinvest the income from the harvest into their 4th cropping cycle while also allocating funds to support the growth and sustainability of the association’s operations and initiatives.
This year’s harvest reflects the positive outcomes of their decision, as it provides substantial support to the members’ income and reinforces the sustainable livelihood goals of the program.
Moreover, the continued support from the SAAD Phase 2 Program highlights BFAR-10’s commitment to rural development through partnerships that promote economic independence and environmental stewardship. (BFAR-10/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)
