Livelihood options for 95 fishfarmers after they completed their training on siganid culture under the Fisheries School-on- the Air (FSA).
The fishfarmers received their certificate of completion in a simple ceremony held at Hotel Consuelo, Lingayen, Pangasinan recently.
Participating in the ceremonies were the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region l, SANTEH Feeds Corporation, Pangasinan State University, and PCAARRD.
Seeking to increase farmers’ productivity, the FSA promotes S&T-based fisheries and aquatic resources technology.
Complementing the FSA is the Fisheries School-on-the-Road (FSR) which provides closer link with fisherfolk beneficiaries and technology updates on fisheries.
To date, 9,690 fishfarmers have completed the FSA trainings on mud crab, saline tilapia, and tilapia in pond; pompano; lapu-lapu; seabass; mudfish; and coastal resources management, among other topics.
The FSA training on siganid culture was first aired over DZWM and later some of its topics at DZMM’s “Bago Yan Ah!”.
Addressing the FSA graduates, PCAARRD Technology Transfer and Promotion Division Director Melvin B. Carlos appreciated the synergy between FSA and FSR. He also recognized the programs’ contribution to PCAARRD’s Pinoy S&T Services for Farmers and Entrepreneurs (PSF), an agricultural production and marketing modality.
Carlos also commended the local government units, state colleges, and other non-government agencies in sustaining the FSA program.
Representative Angelo B. Palmones of the Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamamayan (AGHAM), on the other hand, challenged the latest batch of FSA beneficiaries to process and market siganid for export. For this purpose, Palmones committed to provide mechanical dryers which will be set up in Labrador and Binmaley, Pangasinan.