The Philippines.- In the Philippines, tilapia is considered an important aquaculture species favored for its appealing taste and affordable price. “Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia” or simply GIFT is one of the best cultured tilapia species. It has higher aquaculture yield due to its rapid growth and higher survival rates.
However, production of this species declined because of its low reproductive performance. As such, there is a need to optimize and improve the current culture strategies to promote the improved potentials of GIFT.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) approved a project that aimed to address this concern during its Directors’ Council Meeting held on April 17, 2018.
The project is titled “Enhanced Aquaculture System for Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) Strain Towards Improved Reproductive Performance of Broodstock and Sustainable Supply of Quality Fry and Fingerlings.”
To be led by Precious Dee L. Herbalega of Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), Los Baños, Laguna, the project aims to develop an enhanced culture system for GIFT towards improved reproductive performance of broodstock and sustainable supply of quality fry and fingerlings.
An enriched diet for broodstock, fry, and fingerlings using non-conventional materials will be developed under the project. This enriched diet is expected to promote improved immune response, growth, survival, and reproductive performance.
The project will also develop an improved culture management system for broodstock, fry and fingerlings.
An inception meeting was conducted by PCAARRD-Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division (IARRD) for the project on August 3, 2018.
Dr. Dalisay DG. Fernandez, IARRD Director, and PCAARRD Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Tilapia Dr. Norida P. Samson led the meeting.
The meeting served as the venue for levelling of expectations, briefing on the guidelines for technical and financial monitoring, project mechanics, required documents, and other obligations of the proponent under the PCAARRD/DOST-Grants in Aid (DOST-GIA) funded programs/projects, among other concerns.
The participants were also encouraged to submit quality R&D proposals for PCAARRD funding.
Source: DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services
