The Department of Agriculture – National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI) said Wednesday it has secured a partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to boost the aquapreneur model farm in Lala, Lanao del Norte.

In a statement, NFRDI-AquaBiz School (ABS) and Technology Business Incubation (TBI) program leader Joseph Christopher Rayos emphasized the need for a long-term partnership to advance innovation in the sector.

“We stayed as partners before, we stay as partners now, and we will stay as partners. Huwag natin itong bitawan dahil isa ito sa maipagmamalaki natin dahil ito ay (Let’s not let go of this because this is one of the things we can be proud of being a) banner program of NFRDI,” he said.

For his part, BFAR-Northern Mindanao Director Edward Yasay said the partnership will boost support for local fishers in the area.

“Ang tilapia culture sa Lala ay hindi lamang nagbibigay ng tamang pagkain at nutrisyon sa mga tao, ito rin ay nagbibigay ng kabuhayan sa mga kapatid nating mandaragat (The tilapia culture in Lala will not only provide food and nutrition to people, but also livelihood to our fellow fishers),” he said.

Under the partnership, the two agencies will work with the incubatee to establish model farms.

The model farm will then be used as a certified training hub or demonstration farm for various fisheries technologies and commodities.

Overall, the NFRDI said it can help enhance “technical skills,” advance innovation, and result in higher aquaculture productivity. (PNA)