DA-BFAR Caraga holds 2021 Regional Food Security Summit on Fisheries Sector

To discuss the challenges faced by the fisheries sector, present plans and programs geared towards addressing the concerns and gather support of key industry players in paving the way towards a more productive and profitable fisheries sector, the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) in Caraga Region recently hosted the 2021 Regional Food Security Summit on Fisheries Sector held in Butuan City on May 11-12, 2012.

In his message, DA Secretary Dr. William D. Dar called for unity and focus of mission to identify interventions to translate the DA’s programs into actions with concrete outputs that will be felt by the people, especially in the countryside.

“I count on each and everyone of you to help us turn these challenges into opportunities - to make agri-food systems more inclusive, resilient and sustainable,” Dar said.

Anchored on the theme “Food for Today and Beyond: Transforming Philippine Agriculture”, the two-day blended workshop convened local stakeholders both from public and private institutions to discuss and frame up regional strategic action plans for the commodities: milkfish, tilapia, shrimp, seaweed, lobster, sardines, and tuna.

Parallel sub-sectoral workshops on aquaculture and capture fisheries were conducted following the food summit framework and One DA Approach.

DA-BFAR Caraga OIC Regional Director Dr. Nilo Selim Katada stressed that the output of the regional summit will form part of the national food security plan that will pave the way towards achieving the Department’s goal of food security and resiliency, wherein every Filipino will continuously have food on their table, and that farmers and fisherfolk have “masaganang ani at mataas na kita”.

In her closing message, Chief Aquaculturist Rizalinda L. Abing thanked the participants for the active engagement in the crafting of the food security action plans for Caraga region.

“With the partnership between DA-BFAR and stakeholders, we will surely make a big difference for the fisheries sector here in Caraga region,” Abing concluded.