According to the information farmers in Lanao del Norte are encouraged to raise pangasius catfish. Provincial Agriculturist’s Office has sponsored a business forum held recently at the Macapagal Training Center in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry Region 10 (DTI-X) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 (BFAR-X).
In the forum farmers are encouraged to raise Pangasius hypophthalmus freshwater catfish because of its potential to boost farmers’ income. Hon. Casimero C. Bagol, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member, Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, said that raising this type of freshwater catfish in fishponds will indeed increase the farmers income aside from preserving the environment. He was addressing the fishpond operators, agricultural technologists, municipal agricultural officers, municipal and agricultural fishery councils and other stakeholders present in the forum.
Dr Ruel Paclipan, Provincial Director of DTI-Lanao del Norte, assured the participants that his office will undertake steps for possible market matching for business opportunities including abroad. It is informed that this freshwater catfish belongs to the omnivorous species that feed primarily on marine plants and some mollusks. It is first seen in Vietnam”s Mekong River Delta and normally grows in waters with low oxygen levels and is tolerant even to poor water quality.
