DAGUPAN City has been chosen by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as one of the recipients of its comprehensive outreach and fish breeding project.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. said the project is a collaboration between the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (BFAR-NIFTDC) and the JICA.

Other recipients are the coastal municipalities of Binmaley and Lingayen, also both fish-producing areas like Dagupan.

Representatives from JICA, led by its team leader Tokio Kitamado, met with the mayor and some city barangay chairman on August 21 to discuss the significant benefits of the project to Dagupan’s aquaculture industry.

Among the identified activities to be undertaken include: establishment of water quality monitoring system in the river system, intermediate aquaculture from fry to fingerling, establishment of sustainable polyculture system and effective usage of natural feed.

A series of trainings for Dagupan’s agriculture office, fishfarmers and hatchery workers and conduct of technical assistance to the two selected pilot areas will be part of the assistance.

Dagupan City agriculturist Emma Molina said JICA has selected barangays Bonuan Boquig and Lucao as pilot areas for the project.

Implementation of the Japan-sponsored project will last till 2008. (PNA)