Cite as: [Author(s), 2002. Title.] In: K. McElwee, K. Lewis, M. Nidiffer, and P. Buitrago (Editors), Nineteenth Annual Technical Report. Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, [pp. ___.]

Production of Improved Extension Materials

Ninth Work Plan, Adoption/Diffusion Research 6B (9ADR6B)
Final Report

Christopher L. Brown
Marine Biology Program
Florida International University
North Miami, Florida, USA

Remedios B. Bolivar and Eddie Boy T. Jimenez
Freshwater Aquaculture Center
Central Luzon State University
Nueva Ecija, Philippines

James P. Szyper
Sea Grant College Program
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hilo, Hawaii, USA

Abstract

Experimental results accumulated over two years of study indicate that a number of methods are available by which farmers can minimize the cost of feeding tilapia grown in ponds in the Philippines, with no adverse effects. Farmers have been clearly impressed with these results and the graphic demonstration of the potential to expand profit margins without adversely affecting fish health or uniformity. The distribution of extension brochures will allow the spread of this information more widely than is currently occurring (that is, by word of mouth, workshops, and newsletters). The inclusion of data and the contact information for project personnel will ensure the diffusion of useful technical details to tilapia farmers in and potentially beyond the Central Luzon region.

Summary

A new extension brochure has been prepared for distribution to tilapia farmers in and beyond the Luzon Island fish farming area of the Republic of the Philippines.

The practical aspects of our research objectives, realized over the two years of work on the Ninth Work Plan Philippines Project, generated information of use to farmers in the Central Luzon area of the Philippines. Specifically, our results suggest a series of measures that can be used by farmers to reduce production costs without compromising yields, consequently improving profitability. These include reducing costs in the initial phase of grow-out (Brown and Bolivar, 2001), the use of sub-satiation feed levels (Brown et al., 2002), and the cost benefit of using only light application of fertilizers (Brown et al., 2001).

Each of these lines of work has been included in the presently reported extension effort. The results of the studies have already been accepted by farmers near Central Luzon State University (CLSU), both through word of mouth and by way of a highly successful series of workshops and meetings. Our new extension brochure has been prepared, which will allow broader dissemination and consequently enhanced impact of these results. An illustrated brochure has been designed and drafted, and it will be made available prior to the end of our contract (presently operating under a no-cost extension).

Anticipated Benefits

Area farmers are turning increasingly to CLSU for technical guidance; a recent Farmer's Day Event at the CLSU Freshwater Aquaculture Center had a much greater than expected turnout, with 60 farmers, 50 students, and about 30 faculty and staff from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, CLSU, and other agencies in attendance. It appears likely that the brochures produced in the course of meeting this objective will reach hundreds of farmers, and the receptiveness of area farmers to new ideas generated at CLSU suggests that a significant portion of these farmers will implement what they learn from the brochures.

Note: The brochures have been sent to CLSU for revision, approval, and distribution to area farmers. They will be made available to the PD/A CRSP Management Entity at the end of our contract period, as discussed previously.

Literature Cited

Brown, C.L. and R.B. Bolivar, 2001. Timing of the onset of supplemental feeding of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in ponds. In: A.Gupta, K. McElwee, D. Burke, J. Burright, X.Cummings, and H.Egna (Editors), Eighteenth Annual Technical Report. Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, pp. 33–35.

Brown, C.L., R.B. Bolivar, and J.P. Szyper, 2001. Global Experiment: Optimization of nitrogen fertilization in freshwater tilapia production ponds (cool-season trial). In: A. Gupta, K.McElwee, D.Burke, J. Burright, X. Cummings, and H. Egna (Editors), Eighteenth Annual Technical Report. Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, pp. 23–26.

Brown, C.L., R.B. Bolivar, and J.P. Szyper, 2002. Reduction of feed rations below satiation levels in tilapia pond production. In: K.McElwee, K. Lewis, M. Nidiffer, and P. Buitrago (Editors), Nineteenth Annual Technical Report. Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, pp. 21–23.