A service facility that would further improve the agri-fishery enterprise in the Davao region especially in the processing and value-adding of bangus and tilapia will soon rise in the Municipality of Malita, Davao Occidental.
This came after the Department of Agriculture-XI (DA-XI) has turned-over P40-million worth of interventions to the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) for the implementation of the Fish Processing and Innovation Hub under the Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries Enterprise (SAFE).
The package of interventions include the establishment of the P20-miliion Fish Processing Building and Cold Storage, P8.5-million for agricultural supplies and ICT equipment, P6-million for machinery which include a reefer van, P3.5-million for operating and utility expense and P1-million is allocated for skills training.
In a turnover ceremony held recently at SPAMAST in Malita, Davao Occidental, DA-XI Regional Technical Director for Operations Dr. Marila L. Corpuz said that the initiative is part of the key strategies of the department to level up the agri-fishery sector.
“This project is part of the DA’s goal to establish Agri Industrial Business Corridors (ABCs) with Fisheries Management Areas and trading posts to provide our smallholder farmers and fisherfolk access to resources, including state-of-the-art production technology, capital, and value-adding facilities. We are so lucky that Davao region is one of the four regions chosen as pilot areas for this project,” Corpuz said.
She added that with the needed facility and equipment, the community will soon produce volume of thermal processed products, dried and smoked bangus and tilapia which could meet the required quality in both local and international standards.
“In partnership with SPAMAST and LGU, we will make sure that our smallholder fishers would really benefit from this project thru agreements with Small and Mid-size Enterprises (SMEs), fish cages, pens and fish pond owners as cooperators,” she said.
Meanwhile, SPAMAST President Dr. Ruth Lucero said that the institution will also ensure the active involvement of women and youth organizations, alumni associations, and even the balikbayan to provide additional source of income.
“Aside from our goal for this project to promote and market registered fish products from the locale, we will also involve students in its research component for which matured outputs will eventually benefit the farming and fishing community,” said Lucero.
The turnover program was followed by the groundbreaking ceremony for the 512-square meter SAFE building which is expected to operate in October this year. (Celso C. Vergara, DA-RAFIS11)
