A few days ago, a Thai friend whose company is involved in Aquaculture Development in the Philippines, asked for my help in finding suppliers of Bamboo poles to be used in building fish cages in Lanao del Norte.
Kasamsuk “Toto” Patsanun, an officer of CP Foods Philippines, a Thai Multi-National Agricultural Corporation which is involved in Poultry, Hogs and Aqua Projects in the country, said fish cage farmers which CPF is supporting in Lanao del Norte were looking for sources of Bamboo Poles to build floating fish cages.
I immediately linked him up with a group of farmers in North Cotabato growing Iron Bamboo (Guadua angustifolia Kunth) led by Iron Bamboo Advocate Rimmon Paren and they struck up a Bamboo Poles Supply Agreement right away.
Iron Bamboo was the species which I recommended for Fish Cages because the poles are straight but smaller than the Giant Bamboo which has huge culms.
Besides, the Guadua is known as the hardest species, thus the name Iron Bamboo.
That was when I realized that by simply linking up Bamboo Farmers with Fish Cage Farmers, two important areas for our national development would be boosted.
The use of Iron Bamboo for fish cages would encourage massive planting which would contribute to flood mitigation and environmental protection.
The availability of Iron Bamboo, in addition to the commercial floating fish cages made out of HDPE Pipes, will encourage more fish cage operators to establish fish pens especially in the placid coves and coastal areas of the country.
That’s Environmental Protection and Fish Production in one stroke of the brush, not to mention the economic benefits from jobs to be created in these two undertakings.
