October 16, 2012

In order to hasten the production of tilapia fish and other fish species growing fish cages installed in the different bodies of fresh water in the Philippines, 500 farmers from 12 barangays of Vigan City, Philippines received at least 2,000 bags of feeds.

City Agriculture Officer Teresita Raboy said on Friday (Oct.12) that each fisherman received four bags of feeds in a simple ceremony attended by Congressman Ryan Luis V. Singson and City Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina held in Vigan Convention Centre last Monday (Oct.8).

"The four bags of the feeds, which comprise one bag of booster, one bag of starter, one bag of grower, and one bag of mash, were given free to the fishermen," she said.

"Before the fishermen received the free feeds, they attended a seminar conducted by the technicians from the feeds' manufacturing company," she added.

According to Raboy, the feeds, which are water floating feeds, will hasten the growth of tilapia fish specie ready for harvest after two months of feeding.

"The normal period of feeding tilapia in our fish cages before harvest will take four to five months; but using these feeds imported from Thailand, it would only take two months of feeding before harvest," she said.

Singson, who provided the free feeds to the fish farmers, said the feeds are environment–friendly and could easily be eaten by fishes as these float in water.

"These feeds are proven effective and environment - friendly for the faster growth tilapia fish and other fish species thriving in the different bodies of water in the city," Singson said.

Medina thanked Singson for giving the feeds to the fishers in the city saying that this will help increase their household income.

Furthermore, Raboy said that aside from the 500 recipients, another 176 fishers from the city are also waiting their feeds allocation.