NTA joined in the 52nd Fisheries Industry Forum for Stakeholders by the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Regional Field Office No. 1 (BFAR-RFO 1), held at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur on September 14.
The stakeholders’ meeting provides opportunities for market linkage, access to credit institutions, and availing of the latest technologies and innovations in fisheries. Topics discussed include regulatory standards to help aquapreneurs improve their skills in production which will impact the positive outlook of fisherfolks towards a healthier and sustainable industry.
The forum featured a presentation by Leonora P. Nudo, Supervising Science Research Specialist of the NTA-Industrial Research Department and Officer-in-Charge of the Tobacco Dust Processing Plant (TDPP), who discussed and presented the Agency’s program on Tobacco Dust Plus: Biotoxicant cum Lab-lab Growth Enhancer. The presentation was part of Session I on Products and Services for the Fisheries Industry.
Nudo highlighted the valuable effects of using Tobacco Dust (TD) Plus as a biotoxicant (e.g., molluscicide) and “lablab” growth enhancer. The process of using the product and a comparative analysis of the economic advantage of using the TD Plus versus a commercially available molluscicide were briefly explained based on the report of Director Danilo C. Trongco, Member of the NTA Governing Board.
Credit and Policy Programs were the focus of the Session II of the forum. Resource speakers were representatives from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, Land Bank of the Philippines, and Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation and tackled how fisher folks are provided with financial assistance to start a project.
The core of Session III was on the Demand Requirement for the Fisheries Industry. Representatives from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Department of Social Welfare and Development served as speakers.
Present in the meeting were Dir. Teofilo Quintal, Member of the NTA Governing Board; Engr. Noralyn I. Idica, OIC Manager of NTA Vigan; and Jose A. Taclas, acting Chief Agriculturist of NTA Abra.
The Fisheries Industry Forum is anchored with the theme, “Sa Pagbubuklod at Pagkakaisa, Matatag at Maunlad na Industriya ng Pangisdaan ay Matatamasa Tungo sa Masaganang ANI at Mataas na KITA.”