The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) holds first ever Fisheries Production and Post-harvest Equipment Showcase on December 18-22, 2018 at the World Trade Center (WTC) in Pasay City.
The five-day showcase immediately follows BFAR’s FishTival, a trade and display of regional fisheries products, which happened last week also at the WTC. The post-harvest equipment showcase, on the other hand, is a one-stop opportunity for fisherfolk-cooperatives and fisheries industry-based entrepreneurs to find modern post-harvest and aquaculture technologies that can help them improve their productivity.
In his official Facebook page, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said that “backed up by a P400-M loan facility offered by the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), the fishermen’s groups could borrow the exact amount that they need to acquire the equipment and machinery, including a working capital, at 2% interest per year payable in 8 years.”
At present, almost 40 percent of the total fish production and income of Filipino fishermen go to waste due to unavailability or inaccessibility of post-harvest equipment for their fish catch.
To address this, BFAR national director Eduardo Gongona said that the DA through the BFAR is rolling out programs and policies that will not only prevent and eliminate illegal fishing in the country’s waters but also lessen post-harvest losses, which will eventually result in better income for fishermen.
One of these programs is the establishment of ice-making facilities in 91 areas nationwide by the end of the Closed Fishing Season in March 2019. Fisherfolk associations and cooperatives can avail of ice-making machines through the Agriculture and Fisheries Machinery and Equipment (AFME) Loaning Program of the ACPC.
The model of the ice-making machine that the fisherfolk groups can apply for, however, will depend on the average daily fish landings in their area. Based on BFAR’s computation, the amount of loan required for this project is estimated at Php282.5 million.
BFAR, on the same event, will also launch the Comprehensive Post-Harvest Marketing and Ancillary Industry Plan (CPHMAIP), which harnesses existing government initiatives to give timely and relevant technical assistance on post-harvest and marketing with the goal of reducing post-harvest losses and alleviating poverty in the coastal communities.
A technology and business forum will also take place on December 19 to open opportunities and give guidance to participants who want to start or grow their business. A discussion on the different opportunities in fish processing and open forum will follow before proceeding to the viewing of exhibits.
