Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in collaboration with the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) and other partner agencies implemented a 3-year collaborative research project entitled, “Building an Evidence Base for Inclusive Nature-Based Climate Solutions in Small-Scale Aquaculture for Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems in the Philippines and Cambodia” funded by the International Development Research Council (IDRC) of Canada.

The research team conducted a site visitation on October 12-14, 2023 on one of their pilot sites located in Guinayangan, Quezon in Southern Luzon which aims to assess the issues, challenges, concerns, and needs of the small-scale fish farmers that affects the sustainability of their operations.  

On the other hand, the site visit in Ivisan, Capiz on October 18-20, 2023 focused on two small-scale fish farmers growing tilapia and catfish, and producing tilapia fingerlings as a means to gather information to be able to strategize on how the team could help improve their small-scale aquaculture operations in a sustainable and economic way.  

After the initial assessment, the research team recommended the need to have a readily available source of quality fingerlings to sustain their fish production. In addition, a series of training and capacity building activities to be spearheaded by CLSU experts is also deemed necessary to capacitate fish farmers and help them re-establish their hatchery and grow-out operation.

The project will be implemented in collaboration with the following partner agencies: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Visayas State University (VSU)-Alangalang Campus, Capis State University (CapSU), De La Salle University (DLSU), National Aquaculture Research and Development Institute (NARDI) and Marine Aquaculture Research and Development Center (MARDeC) from Cambodia.