The Davao City Agriculturists Office (CAgrO) intensified its efforts to strengthen the skills of farmers and fisherfolk through a Tilapia Production training held on May 13, 2026 in Toril District as part of the Farmers and Fisherfolks month celebration.
Joanafe L. Ondoy, Agricultural Technologist of CAgrO told the City Information Office (CIO) that the activity provided hands-on instructions on freshwater aquaculture, ensuring that the participants are better prepared to manage fish ponds and successful management of tilapia.
“Gina training namo ang mga farmers karon sa freshwater nga isda, sama sa tilapia or hito. Kini daghan gyud sila og makat-unan ilabi na unsaon og pag buhi sa Tilapia, unsaon pag manage, tudluan sila unsa ang site selection ug unsa ang gwapo nga himoun na fish pond. Labaw na sa proper production para sure ta nga dako ang ilahang ma harvest ug successful ilahang pag tagad sa Tilapia (We are currently training the farmers on freshwater fish, such as tilapia or catfish. They will learn a lot, especially on how to raise Tilapia, how to manage it, they will be taught about site selection, and what makes a good fish pond, especially in proper production to ensure that they have a large harvest and successful management of Tilapia),” she said.
She also added that farmers were equipped with knowledge on how to identify suitable areas for ponds, construct them effectively and provide proper nutrition to ensure healthy fish growth.
In May 2026, Davao City has already distributed 251,000 tilapia fingerlings and 25,000 hito fingerlings to farmers.
Arnel B. Labor, one of the participants who also manages a farm, shared that the training not only addresses his concerns but also strengthens his aquaculture skills, which have been critical in assisting farmers like him in planning and establishing aquaculture ventures.
“Dako kaayo siya og tabang, especially kay nag plano man gud ko na mag buhi og Tilapia unya ang akoang isa ka concern gyud kay kining pag set-up sa fish pond karon kay wala kaayo koy knowledge ana. Niya dria nako na batyagan nga naa gyud diay proper nga proseso ug method unsaon ang sakto nga pag buhat og fish pond. Dako kaayo siya nga tabang unya pwede sad nako siya ma share sa amoang silingan nga gusto pod mag fish pond (It has been a great help, especially since I am planning to raise Tilapia, and one of my main concerns is setting up the fish pond because I don’t have much knowledge about it. And here I realized that there are indeed a proper process and method for correctly setting up a fish pond. It was really helpful, and I can also share it with our neighbor who wants to build a fish pond)” he added.
Dabawenyo farmers may request free fingerlings through their barangays, which will facilitate distribution to those establishing or expanding fish ponds. CIO
Written by: N. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal