SEAFDEC/AQD Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center | Aquaculture Department
By Jonas Mediavilla
SEAFDEC/AQD’s Oyster Program and Soft-shelled Mangrove Crab farming technologies were showcased by scientists and research staff at DOST’s SIPAG FIESTA which was held at PCAARRD’s headquarters last March 2-4, 2016 in Los Baños, Laguna.
The Oyster Program showcased hatchery technologies of producing individual oyster spats through the downwelling and upwelling systems and the production of bigger size individual oysters through the pouch method.
The mangrove crab team, on the other hand, displayed the refined technologies in all phases of culture, polychaetes hatchery, and the production of soft-shell crabs.
“SIPAG,” refers to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development’s (PCAARRD) initiative “Strategic Industry S&T Programs for Agri-Aqua Growth.” This affair bolsters PCAARRD’s commitment to DOST Outcome One which the council pursues through its Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP).
The finest results conducted by its R&D partners in 13 regions of the country, from 2010 to 2016, were packaged in the form of exhibits, actual product display and demonstration, and fora for different types of audiences in a festive mood, as portrayed in one of PCAARRD’s promotion strategies – The Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA).
The SEAFDEC/AQD team was composed of Dr. Jocelyn Madrones-Ladja, Dr. Rolando Pakingking Jr., Dr. Ma. Junemie Hazel Lebata-Ramos, Ms. Valerie Lorraine Tan, Ms. Ma. Lilibeth Hualde and Mr. Jonas Mediavilla of the Oyster program while the Mangrove Crab team was represented by Dr. Emilia Quinitio, Mr. Jon Irish Aquino and Ms. Mary Anne Mandario together with Mr. Nikko Alvin Cabillon and Mr. Isidro Tendencia.
The three-day exhibit was attended by students from nearby schools and colleges, researchers from the academe, government employees and officials, local stakeholders, and businessmen from the private sector.
Together with PCAARRD, the activity embodies SEAFDEC/AQD’s commitment to ensure that, through science and technology, the fruits of its research and development activities will be a blessing to every Juan.
