The Department of Science and Technology Region XI signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project Mindanao (DA-PRDP), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources XI (BFAR XI), and the Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) for the launching of research project on indigenous raw materials for Bangus (milkfish) feeds.
DOrSU Associate Professor and Project Leader Dr. Edison Roi Macusi said that the high cost of feeds is the number one identified problem in terms of milkfish aquaculture.
“One of the objectives of the project is examining and developing locally available feed materials such as cacao waste materials. Hopefully, we can develop alternative ingredients in feeds at lower costs,” he added.
The P1.7 million research project is co-funded by DA-PRDP and DOST XI. It is part of the Investments for Planning at the Local and National Levels (I-PLAN) convergence initiatives of DA that is targeted to support the implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization and Industrialization Plan.
DOST XI Regional Director Dr. Anthony Sales said that he looks forward to the successful implementation of the project and expressed DOST XI’s full support.
“The reason why we signed this MOA and why we funded this project is because we are committed to the objectives of PRDP and its component projects which are also aligned with our mandates and programs in Research, Development, and Innovation,” Dr. Sales said.
Project Director for PRDP Mindanao Cluster and Regional Executive Director of DA-Regional Field Office XI Mr. Abel James Monteagudo expressed hope that the partnership with DOrSU will help address food security issues and make the country move forward in addressing the demands for food sufficiency.
Following the MOA signing, the project entitled “Enhancing Food Security, Social Inclusion, and Sustainability in the Milkfish Aquaculture Through the Use of Indigenous Raw Materials as Feed Components” will begin this January and will conclude by December 2023.
