POTOTAN, Iloilo — A government-backed aquaculture initiative has delivered a strong harvest in Iloilo, with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) reporting a combined yield of 1.56 metric tons of tilapia and 450 kilograms of giant freshwater prawns — underscoring the viability of polyculture systems in boosting fishery productivity and farmer incomes.
The partial harvest conducted on April 8, 2026 in Barangay Nanga, Pototan highlights what experts describe as a scalable model for sustainable aquaculture, as authorities push to strengthen food security and rural livelihoods through innovation.
The project, dubbed “Grow-out Polyculture of Nile Tilapia and Giant Freshwater Prawn,” utilizes a system that allows both species to be raised simultaneously in a single pond, maximizing space and improving production efficiency.
“This approach maximizes pond space, improves production efficiency, and boosts overall yields, ultimately offering better financial returns for the farming community.”
Farmers involved in the initiative reported an average tilapia weight of 450 grams after a 120-day growth period, while giant freshwater prawns reached an average weight of 25 grams.
“The successful integration of tilapia and giant freshwater prawn not only demonstrates a sustainable farming model but also paves the way for future innovations in aquaculture practices.”
Inputs for the project were sourced from partner agencies, with tilapia fingerlings provided by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Visayas through its Provincial Agri-Aqua Research and Technology Center in Pototan, while prawn fry came from SEAFDEC/AQD’s Tigbauan Main Station.
A separate monoculture setup conducted alongside the polyculture system also yielded 406 kilograms of giant freshwater prawns with an average weight of 22 grams, further demonstrating the adaptability of aquaculture strategies.
“Such exceptional results were further supported by an additional monoculture setup… This underlines the versatility of aquaculture practices and reinforces the promising potential of polyculture farming in optimizing resource use.”
The initiative forms part of the Joint Mission for Accelerated Nationwide Technology Transfer Program and the Meeting Social and Economic Challenges in Aquaculture Program.
SEAFDEC/AQD said it continues to collaborate with BFAR-6 and the Iloilo Provincial Government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist to expand the adoption of advanced aquaculture technologies.
“The successful demonstration of this polyculture project not only serves as a model for sustainable aquaculture but also exemplifies the collaborative efforts between research institutions and local governmental agencies.”
Authorities said the results point to a promising future for aquaculture development in Western Visayas, with the potential to be replicated across other regions.
“The promising yields from this project horizon reflect a hopeful future for aquaculture in the Philippines and beyond.”/PN
