SEAFDEC backs PH gov’t bid to put up feed mill plants

SEAFDEC/AQD has pledged its support to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to construct commercial-scale aquaculture feed mills for cost-effective feed in strategic locations throughout Panay Island, as well as Luzon and Mindanao in the Philippines.

“Development of aquaculture feed mill plants is one of BFAR’s approved projects and is set for implementation this year,” according to BFAR-6 director Remia Aparri. The project is under the National Fisheries Program.

BFAR tapped the research center’s technical expertise, particularly on site selection, during a meeting between SEAFDEC/AQD and BFAR on 10 Jan. 2023. Chief Dan Baliao, Dr. Roger Edward Mamauag, SEAFDEC/AQD Feasibility Study team, Aparri, and BFAR-6 staff were present.

Baliao stated that the research center is willing to assist the government in achieving their goal of putting up feed mills since it will help farmers increase their production by using formulated, cost-efficient feeds.

“Establishing a feed mill plant for cost-efficient feeds will likely invigorate the fisheries sector and help the country ensure food security by producing high-quality feeds at a reasonable price. This is also one way of increasing and sustaining aquaculture production of finfishes and cages in the area,” he said.

The project was proposed during the tenure of former agriculture secretary William Dar, and two of the five proposed will be implemented as pilot projects in 2023, and are set to be in Regions 4-A and 4-B.

“At least with SEAFDEC, the technical experts are there, especially during bidding and monitoring during construction,” Aparri added, noting that SEAFDEC greatly assisted the agency in preparing feasibility studies, identifying suitable sites, and designing the government’s legislated hatcheries.

In Panay Island, the project is planned to be located at SEAFDEC/AQD’s Tigbauan Main Station, with a proposed budget of 30 million pesos. The research center, for its part, will have a counterpart of 250,000 pesos.