Baguio groups train in new food technology-aquaponics

August 22, 2021 Metro BLISTT

For a sustainable local food production, several residents in the city recently have participated in the Urban Aquaponics System Training which was conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries Aquatic Resources-Cordillera (BFAR-CAR).
The participants beneficiaries, numbering to 50 from various local organizations and 4-H Club in the city, actually will receive one-unit solar powered aquaponics system from the Department of Agriculture (DA) through BFAR-CAR.
This effort is part of the Plant, Plant, Plant Program of DA and the commitment of Agriculture Secretary William
Dar, to boost local food production that are readily available and affordable in the households.
BFAR-CAR senior officials discussed models of urban farming and fishing using aquaponics system, and the operation and maintenance of the new technology.
Aquaponics is a food production system that couples aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as fish, crayfish,
snails or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) whereby the nutrient rich aquaculture water is fed to hydroponic grown plant, involving nitrifying bacteria for converting ammonia into nitrates.
Farmer/Fisherfolk Enterprise Development
Meanwhile, the DA through its regional office in the region (DA-CAR) has established and opened the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Information System (FFEDIS) Program for agri-fishery based enterprises.
According to DA-CAR, FFEDIS is a web-based (online) information system required for group enterprises and entrepreneurs that allows for the availment of agri-fishery based assistance such as grant, loan, and other programs of the DA.
The system is created under Section 10 of the Republic Act No. 11321, also known as the Sagip Saka Act, designed to assist the government in formulating plans and programs on enterprise development.
In support of Republic Act No. 11321, the DA-RFO CAR encourage all registered agri-fishery based enterprises to apply in this web-based information system.
As a two-fold drive, this serves as farmers’ profiling to ensure the authenticity of the organization and prioritization of requests to the government offices, with regards to grant, loan, or public-private partnership.
Application to this information system expresses the organization’s interest to participate and engage in the development and implementation of agriculture and fishery-related activities.
The enterprise may seek assistance from the Office of the Municipal Agriculture or directly to the DARFO CAR for the required documents.
Primo Agatep/ABN