The Agricultural Training Center – Regional Training Center 8, in its support to the Provincial-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Services (PAFES) in Southern Leyte, provided capacity building for the Agricultural Extension Workers (AEW) in the province. The need for the training came up as a result of the Assessment of the Resources and Capabilities of the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU-Southern Leyte).
Specifically, the training aims to capacitate the agricultural extension workers to effectively guide farmers towards more productive, sustainable, and profitable aquaculture practices, contributing significantly to the economic and social development of Southern Leyte.
The participants learned further about the Province’s Freshwater Fish Production facilities, intended to mass produce or breed milkfish, tilapia, and rabbit fish. This is to address the high price of seawater fish, even if Southern Leyte is surrounded by seawater, an alternative source of protein for its constituents. The facility also serves as a source of fry for mass grow-out of freshwater fish and encourages every municipality in So. Leyte to establish fish ponds.
Through the training, the AEWs received a unit of Pelletizer in support of the breeder fish feeding program. On the other hand, the Provincial Agriculture Services Office of Southern Leyte promised to maximize its use to improve the fish feeding program by using alternative materials found in their locality. Furthermore, the participants promise to apply what they learn from this training by conducting re-echo sessions, coaching, and disseminating information to their constituents, thereby improving their skills in aquaculture and increasing technology adoption.
Mr. Jaymar Ayuban-Abarico from the Local Government Unit of Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, shared, “As one of the Agricultural Technologists–Fisheries based in Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, we often encounter questions from our clients—whether farmers or fisherfolk—that we struggle to answer. This raises an important concern: How can we truly help our farmers and fisherfolk in the municipality if we ourselves lack the necessary knowledge? This training has been very helpful in enhancing my understanding of aquaculture. Although I previously worked in an aquaculture company, I still realized that there are many areas where I need to grow. I am truly grateful to PAgSO and ATI for providing this opportunity. I commit to sharing what I have learned with our local fisherfolk. Many of them still rely on traditional practices, and I want to help them see that adopting new technologies can lead to improved productivity and income. Change can be challenging, but with the right support and information, it can make a big difference.”
The participants visited the Provincial Multi-Species Marine Fish Hatchery, identified fish sex, determined the pace factor in the area, and made aquafeeds.
A total of 33 agricultural extension workers from the Province of Southern Leyte completed the training: Retooling Agri-Fishery Technicians on Aquaculture on July 2-4, 2025, at the Provincial Multi-Species Marine Fish Hatchery Function Room, Brgy. San Roque, Macrohon, Southern Leyte.
