The Native Catfish Breeding and Enhancement for Economic Development (NCBREED) Project of Western Philippines University (WPU) shared technical knowledge on native catfish and tilapia production during a freshwater aquaculture training on July 10, 2026, at FarmTeach Inc., Puerto Princesa. The activity, conducted at the request of potential project partner FarmTeach Inc., combined technical learning with an awareness and promotional session on native catfish.
Participants included farmer-cooperators and beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture’s Palayamanan Program, as well as Bachelor of Science in Agriculture interns from various campuses of Palawan State University (PSU).
Mr. Leo N. Plasus, Project Technical Specialist I of the NCBREED Project, led the lecture on catfish and tilapia production, covering key stages from hatchery operations and fish culture to marketing. The discussion also emphasized basic aquaculture practices that support efficient production and responsible fish farming.
The project team also recognized the achievements of Pastor Bernabe and Ma’am Phoebe Saludares of Barn’s Catfish Hatchery, an incubatee of WPU’s Agriculture Technology Business Incubator (ATBI) and HATCH TBI. Their successful establishment of an African catfish hatchery, production of quality fingerlings, and grow-out of market-size catfish demonstrate the practical application of aquaculture technologies and technical guidance provided through the NCBREED Project and its technology business incubation partners.
The NCBREED Project expressed its appreciation to FarmTeach Inc. and the Palayamanan Program for the opportunity to contribute to the development of farmers, interns, and aspiring aquaculture entrepreneurs. It also looks forward to formalizing its partnership with FarmTeach Inc. through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which is expected to support continued collaboration in aquaculture research, technology transfer, training, and community extension. FarmTeach Inc.an accredited agricultural training center in Barangay Bacungan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Through technical training and partnerships with agricultural stakeholders, the NCBREED Project continues to promote aquaculture knowledge, strengthen local production capacity, and expand opportunities for technology adoption among farmers and future agriculture professionals in Palawan.
(Photos: NC-Breed Project)
[This article is in line with the SDGs 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 12, 14, & 17]