Pangasinan fish farming modernized
FISH farming in Pangasinan is now modernized with the launching of the aquanegosyo technology incubator.
Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero, Undersecretary for Agri-Industrialization and for Fisheries of the Department of Agriculture’s led the recent launching of Aquanegosyo Technology Incubator for FMA 6 at the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center based at Bonoan Binloc, Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
Caballero said that the project also aims to optimize profit of fisherfolk and harness its potential as a livelihood for fishing communities.
Further, Caballero said that the project would also maximize partnership and collaboration among the fishery stakeholders as well as various agencies.
During the launching, she Caballero underscored the essential elements that would make the aqua technology business incubator realize its goal through the collective efforts of the local government units and government agencies working together thru the said project.
The Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) for instance shall provide funding capital thru its loan assistance program payable in five years with no collateral and interest.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Rsources (BFAR) through the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and with other financing institutions, on the othe hand, shall also provide working capital to fisherfolk on the aquanegosyo project they would want to venture.
Among the three important services the project shall provide to the beneficiaries which include training, technology building, and service-based model mechanism.
Caballero also recognized the essential role of TESDA or the Technical Education on Skills Development Authority on the capacity building and skills development of the fisherfolk on fish deboning.
She also disclosed that an Aquanegosyo Technology Incubator Manager will be hired to orchestrate the necessary systems and mechanism of the project for its smooth implementation
Meanwhile, part of the launching activity is also the awarding and distribution of various intervention from DA to project recipients and beneficiaries which include vegetable, corn seeds, farm implements, and machinery, among others.
Financial assistance from PCIC for some ASF affected raisers were also distributed and the awarding of prize to Mr. Darius Noces, a farmer-listener from Villasis, Pangasinan as winner of the Agri-Trivia contest in the weekly virtual presser of IATF TG on Food Security conducted by the Strategic Communications Office of DA.
