The training covered essential topics such as good aquaculture practices, effective hatchery management, feeds & feeding management and culture methods

BABATNGON, LEYTE – “There is a potential for business in fish farming. With determination, hard work, and a passion for honing your skills in this field, you can establish a successful agri-fisheries enterprise.” These inspiring words were spoken by Mr. Norberto T. Berida, Chief of the BFAR 8 Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division (RFTFCD), addressing the 39 enthusiastic participants of the Capacity Building for Trainers on Freshwater Multi-Species Hatchery and Grow-out Management held at the Regional Freshwater Aquaculture Production Center (RFAPC) Training Center in Babatngon, Leyte from May 30 to June 2, 2023.

Representatives from Local Government Units (LGUs), aqua-farming private investors, municipal fisherfolks, and entrepreneurs eagerly absorbed the knowledge shared by key technical personnel from BFAR 8 during the week-long capacity building activity. The training covered essential topics such as good aquaculture practices, effective hatchery management, feeds and feeding management, culture methods for growing tilapia, catfish, African hito, common carp, freshwater prawn, and giant gourami, fish health management, salinity tolerance of various freshwater fish species, pond/cage monitoring, data recording, and simple farm economic analysis.

The main objective of this capacity building initiative was to equip potential trainers from coastal communities in the region with the necessary knowledge and expertise in freshwater multi-species hatchery and grow-out management. By doing so, they could make significant contributions to fish sufficiency and offer viable fisheries livelihood opportunities within their localities.

“This training has opened my eyes, especially since Fisheries is a new field for me. I have learned and grasped the ideas presented during the training, and I am eager to apply them to my work and assist aspiring fishpond operators in starting and maintaining their fish farms efficiently,” shared Mr. William Cabrales of Babatngon, Leyte Municipal Agriculture Office.

The capacity building training was led by the RFTFCD in collaboration with the RFAPC and Fisheries Production Support Services Division (FPSSD) to develop competent trainers in fish farm management across the region. Moreover, the BFAR 8 RFTFCD plans to conduct another Training on Multi-Species Freshwater Aquaculture in Guiuan, Eastern Samar later this year, aimed at empowering potential aquapreneurs in the province.