Philippines: Learn about aqua farming in this Dagupan backyard
Transforming an empty, unproductive 1,000-square-meter backyard
By: Yolanda Sotelo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 30, 2023
Excerpt:
His backyard urban farm, called FishTech Philippines Inc., was accredited by the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) as a learning site for aquaculture and agriculture in 2020. It was upgraded to an agriculture and fisheries extension service provider in January 2023.
“I wanted to ensure that there is life after retirement. I earlier planned what I would do to keep me busy after I retire. And since all [throughout] my professional life I worked in fisheries, it was only logical that my post-government work would be on fisheries,” the 67-year-old Rosario told the Inquirer.
At the farm’s entrance, just right after an azolla pond, is a signboard that reads, “Urban Aqua Farming, Tuloy Po Kayo (You’re welcome).” Immediately, this makes anyone who comes for a visit or study feel the relaxing vibe of a provincial farm in the heart of an urban community.
“Whatever fishery technologies I have learned, I apply here. I wanted to show that in even small areas, one can establish a farm that can produce food for the family, and even earn from the sale of the produce,” Rosario said.
The farm, he says, is “integrated,” as it produces azolla, a type of aquatic fern, and kangkong (water spinach) to feed fish and animals. Waste from the farm’s fish and animal stock, in turn, is used as fertilizer.
