(Para hindi na umangkat) PRODUKSIYON NG BANGUS PALALAKASIN

LUMAGDA ang Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), ang DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), at ang Department of Science and Technology-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST MIRDC) sa isang tripartite memorandum of agreement (MOA) na naglalayong palakasin ang lokal na produksyon ng bangus.

Sa ilalim ng kasunduan, ang naturang mga ahensiya ay magpapatupad ng tinatawag na “hatch project” na ang ang ibig sabihin ay “Heat-Assisted Temperature Control and Monitoring System “ para sa hatchery management ng bangus.

Ayon kay Hatch Project leader Glen Espena, layunin ng proyekto ang paggamit ng “cost-effective at reliable heating system” na nakadisenyo upang mapanatili ang katamtamang init o optimal water temperatures sa broodstock tanks sa panahon ng taglamig.

“The project will involve a Recirculating Aquaculture System equipped with a heat pump, an electric heater, and automation systems for water quality monitoring. This R&D intervention aims to create a conducive breeding environment for milkfish broodstock by ensuring optimal water quality in tank-based facilities,” ang paliwanag ni Espena.

“Our domestic supply of milkfish fry is still insufficient, which forces us to rely on imports. We need to achieve year-round fry production to address these supply gaps. The Hatch Project presents an opportunity to enhance the technical and economic performance of hatchery operations, ultimately leading to fry sufficiency and increased fish production,” pahayag naman ni DA Undersecretary for Fisheries and NFRDI Governing Board Chair Drusila Esther Bayate.

Ang paglagda sa MOA ng tatlong ahensiya ng pamahalaan ay isinagawa sa Titanium Auditorium sa Bicutan, Taguig City.

Ayon naman kay NFRDI Executive Director Lilian Garcia, napakahalaga ng naturang proyekto na gagamit ng bagong teknolohiya sa fish production.

“The Hatch Project is a significant step toward mechanizing and automating our hatchery systems in the country. Applying science, technology, and innovation in aquaculture will catalyze growth and industrialization in the coming years,” sabi ni Garcia.

Tinatayang aabot sa P5 million ang budget mula sa DOST-Grants-In-Aid para sa naturang proyekto. Ito ay sisimulang ipatupad sa BFAR – National Fisheries Development Center sa Dagupan City sa loob ng 18 na buwan at magtatapos sa Hunyo 30,2025.

Ayon kay Garcia, inaasahang mabebenepisyuhan ng proyekto aquaculture na industriya ng bansa at mga kaugnay na industriya tulad ng metals, engineering, at aquaculture. Ma. Luisa Macabuhay-Garcia