Photo courtesy of SEAFDEC/AQD
ILOILO CITY — A newly opened feedmill facility inside the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department complex in Tigbauan is expected to support aquaculture production in Western Visayas.
The project, initiated through a partnership between the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) and SEAFDEC AQD in 2003, was formally launched on Monday.
BFAR Western Visayas Director Remia Aparri said the plant could initially produce at least five metric tons of feeds daily, with capacity to increase to eight metric tons.
She said the facility was intended to develop more affordable feed options for key aquaculture species, including bangus.
Aparri noted that around 6,240 fisherfolk in the region could directly benefit from the project each year, representing a significant portion of those engaged in aquaculture.
She added that the site would also function as a center for training, research application, and technology transfer for stakeholders in the fisheries sector.
SEAFDEC AQD chief Dan Baliao said the facility reflected efforts to translate research into practical use, while supporting industry needs and long term growth.
He expressed hope that the operation of the plant would contribute to food security and sustainable aquaculture development.
BFAR Assistant Director Zaldy Perez said the initiative addressed the high and unstable cost of feeds, which make up a large share of production expenses, and aimed to improve supply and help increase productivity and incomes among fish farmers.