Press Release
September 2, 2010

ANGARA SEEKS MORE R&D FOR AGRI AND FISHERY INDUSTRIES

Senator Edgardo J. Angara commended the research efforts of Iloilo-based Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center which resulted in the growth of the milkfish, or bangus industry as a major dollar earner for the Philippines, following today's reports of the dramatic increase in production and export volume.

The bangus industry is growing at a rate of 7 percent a year, with production more than doubling over the last ten years, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The report cited the development of new aquaculture technologies such as the availability of formulated foods and artificial propagation as a significant factor in this rapid improvement.

"This improvement that we see now in the aquaculture industry is the fruit of several decades' worth of research and development. We have long been working for more R&D programs in the country especially for the agriculture and fisheries sectors, because we know that the modernization of these industries is important," Angara said.

Angara, who continues to push for the development of research and development (R&D) in the Philippines, is also the author of the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act, which enables the agriculture and fisheries sector to efficiently utilize the nation's resources for their growth and development.

"Moreover, agriculture and fishery-based R&D would result not just the increase of production, but a better system of distribution and collection. The improvement of these industries would also make a good impact on the country's economy," he said.

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