Exploring Potentials of Inland Tilapia Farming in CALABARZON

The CALABARZON region serves as one of the nation’s most progressive areas in the Philippines, distinguished by its rich agricultural environment. Regardless of being adjacent to Metro Manila, the region's isolated rural communities frequently experience difficulties in maintaining an adequate food supply. In these places, where accessibility to marketplaces and alimentary services is limited, pond-based tilapia farming gives a significant chance to improve the sustainability of community farming.

Tilapia, well-known for its flexibility, high growth rate, and disease tolerance, thus offering a great option for aquaculture, particularly in rural areas with little access to resources. This particular species may survive in a variety of environments, involving freshwater ponds that are abundant in CALABARZON.

One of the principal advantages of tilapia pond farming in isolated rural locations is the ability to improve food security by allowing local provision of an essential protein source. Compared to other types of animal production, cultivating tilapia involves relatively little starting capital and can be administered with basic abilities, making it attainable to small-scale producers. On this basis, the local governments of Laguna and Rizal expressed their desire to hold a Farmer’s Field School (FFS) focused on Organic Freshwater Aquaculture Production. FFS is a novel, participative, and interactive learning method that promotes problem solving and discovery-based learning. This modality attempts to increase farmers' ability to analyze the efficiency of their farming systems, identify problems, assess potential solutions, and ultimately persuade participants to utilize the methods that are best appropriate for their agricultural systems.

As the DA-ATI CALABARZON, led by Dr. Rolando V. Maningas, Training Center Superintendent II, is committed to fostering, propagating, and implementing best practices in the region, the Center has been working with LGUs to establish FFS in aquaculture. In keeping with this commitment, DA-ATI CALABARZON, in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region IV-A, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, and Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, launched the Farmer’s Field School on Organic Freshwater Aquaculture Production in Binangonan, Rizal, and Nagcarlan, Laguna on May 2 and 3, 2024, respectively.

The aforementioned training is the first FFS in CALABARZON dedicated to organic tilapia raising that took place in a span of three months, and recently, 30 farmers from the town of Binangonan triumphantly graduated last August 19, 2024, while 31 farmers from the town of Nagcarlan completed the training on August 20, 2024.

The closing ceremony in both municipalities was honored by the presence of Dr. Maningas. The Laguna leg was also graced by Mr. Ernesto A. Jara, Supervising Agriculturist from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist; Mr. Alvin C. Ardeza, Nagcarlan Municipal Agriculturist; and Ms. Emelita Casbadillo from BFAR Region IV-A. Similarly, Dr. Reynaldo A. Bonita, Rizal Provincial Agriculturist, Mr. Brian A. Sison of BFAR Rizal Provincial Office; and Dr. Martha Ynares as representative of Mayor Cesar Ynares were present at the culminating activity in Binangonan.

Tilapia aquaculture in ponds has the ability to significantly increase the provision of food in remote farming communities of CALABARZON. Residents of rural areas can improve their ability to procure food, generate extra revenue, and actively contribute to the long-term growth of their local economies by capitalizing on tilapia's flexibility and productivity.

With the right support and resources that DA-ATI CALABARZON and other collaborating institutions will continue to provide, tilapia farming has the potential to become the cornerstone of agricultural growth in the CALABARZON, ensuring a consistent and nutritious food supply that will undoubtedly reach several municipalities in the region.