The Albay Provincial Agricultural Office (APAO), in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources–Bicol (BFAR-5), is expected to establish a PHP10-million Albay Provincial Multi-Species Freshwater Hatchery to improve product quality, reduce post-harvest losses, develop value-added products and create additional income sources.

BFAR-5 spokesperson Rowena Briones said the agency has provided funding for the hatchery, which is now in the procurement stage and, upon completion of construction, will be turned over to APAO.

“The hatchery in Camalig, Albay, is still in the procurement phase. The drilling works have already been bid out, while the construction of the facilities is still in the pre-procurement stage,” she said in an interview Monday.

Meanwhile, in a phone interview on the same day, APAO officer-in-charge (OIC) chief Daryl John Buenconsejo said that once completed and fully operational, the hatchery will serve as a major provincial facility for producing and distributing quality freshwater fingerlings and other high-value freshwater species.

“It will also serve as a venue for aquaculture technology demonstration, training and technical assistance for fish farmers and other fisheries stakeholders in Albay,” he said.

Buenconsejo added that the hatchery is expected to benefit more than 30,000 fish farmers across the province, including existing fishpond operators, small-scale aquaculture producers, fisherfolk organizations, and prospective entrants into freshwater aquaculture.

The project, set to finish in six months, will also benefit families, consumers, traders, processors, and others in the fisheries chain by boosting local fish production and creating new livelihoods and enterprise opportunities across Albay’s municipalities and cities.

“Beneficiaries may also receive training and technical assistance in fish processing, value addition, product development, marketing, and other post-harvest technologies. These capacity-building activities are intended for fish farmers, fisherfolk, fisherfolk organizations, students, women and homemakers, and other interested stakeholders with identified training needs,” he added.

Buenconsejo said beneficiaries can earn by growing the fingerlings provided through the program to marketable size and selling their harvest in local markets, including communities, restaurants, institutional buyers and other available outlets.

He said the hatchery’s long-term sustainability will be ensured through proper facility management, regular maintenance, trained technical personnel, effective broodstock and production management, continuous monitoring, and adequate operational support.

“The provincial government also intends to strengthen partnerships with national government agencies, particularly fisheries and agriculture agencies, academic institutions, local government units and other development partners for technical assistance, research, capacity building and technology development,” he added. (PNA)