BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental provincial government’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable food production and support the livelihood programs of a local monastery have resulted in an improved fish harvest.
The project began on July 18 when the provincial government, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), stocked 2,000 catfish and 2,000 tilapia fry at the Carmelite Monastery in this city.
After four to five months of careful cultivation, the harvest reached an impressive 300 to 400 kilograms per pond, with an average of one to three catfish per kilo.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, together with the sisters of the Carmelite Monastery, witnessed the harvesting of the catfish and the blessing of the monastery’s hatchery last week.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). OPA head Dr. Dina Genzola and her staff were also present during the event.
The fishpond forms part of the monastery’s wider livelihood program, complementing its existing rice production area and reinforcing the community’s goal of becoming more self-sufficient.
The sisters expressed their gratitude for the successful harvest, especially after the challenges posed by recent natural calamities.
The project highlights how collaboration between government agencies and local communities can generate sustainable solutions that strengthen both livelihoods and food security./PN
