According to BFAR 6 regional director Remia Aparri, the development of aquaculture feed mill plants is among the BFAR’s approved projects which is under the National Fisheries Program.

As the implementation of the project is set to commence this year, the BFAR has recently tapped the SEAFDEC to seek for its technical expertise, particularly in selecting conducive sites for the project.

According to a press release, SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department chief Dan Baliao pledged the support of the research center in achieving the government’s goal of putting up feed mills that will help farmers increase their production by using formulated and cost-efficient feeds.

In Panay Island, the feed mill plant is planned to be constructed at SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department in Tigbauan, Iloilo with a proposed budget of P30 million.

For its part, the research center will have a counterpart of P250,000.

Apart from extending help to the government with the present project, SEAFDEC had likewise assisted BFAR in preparing feasibility studies, identifying suitable sites, designing the government’s legislated hatcheries, and has been conducting further research and development regarding the industry. (JBG/AGP/PIA 6)