A total of 78 former rebels turned farmers belonging to the Kiteb Islam MNLF Multi-purpose Cooperative attended recently a training here on the basics of catfish production sponsored by the Targeted Commodity Expansion Program (TCEP) component of the USAID-funded Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) program.
The co-op members were instructed on pond design and construction, fingerling selection, stocking and harvest. Water tending, pond maintenance, and weight sampling were also demonstrated.
In 1999, under the Emergency Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), which was also supported by USAID, these former combatants were provided with seed and other inputs as well as technical training and marketing assistance, to start them into improved corn production.
"Their corn harvest was significantly higher than the national average," recalled Noel Ruiz, who led the ELAP team then and is now the deputy manager of the USAID supported Livelihood Enhancement and Peace Program, which succeeded the ELAP.
According to Ruiz, on their own initiative the Kiteb farmers organized themselves into a cooperative to generate capital for other economic activities. In time, the cooperative was able to put up a warehouse. Most of the members were able to renovate their houses and purchase farm animals.
Other donors took note of the farmers’ determination to pursue their livelihood. Two years ago, the British government assisted them in acquiring a mechanical corn seller and a solar drier. With these accomplishments, Kiteb was recognized as a model ELAP production cluster.
The TCEP aims to take up where ELAP left off. One of its tasks is to identify markets for the products of the program graduates and to assist them in diversifying to other potential crops or marine products.
"Catfish culture is one of the promising aquaculture production ventures that was identified as a follow through activity for successful graduates of the ELAP," said Adel Oviedo, TCEP deputy team leader.
According to Hector Palma, TCEP fishery specialist, catfish command a good price in the local market. Compared to tilapia and bangus, more fingerlings of this variety can be an accommodated in a pond resulting in higher production levels.
"The farmers are diversifying into catfish culture because of its profitability. Their farms also have low-lying areas that have a good supply of water, which is ideal for fishponds," said Palma.
"We will also teach them to design their ponds in such a way that the waste water can be used for irrigating the rice fields," he added.
The cooperative plans to convert a total of one hectare of unutilized land into catfish ponds. Construction is ongoing and by next month they expect to start stocking the ponds with fingerlings.
"We are confident that the former MNLF fighters will employ the same diligence they displayed in corn production to this new enterprise," Oviedo pointed out. (GEM)