𝐁𝐅𝐀𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 | 𝐃𝐀-𝐁𝐅𝐀𝐑 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 “𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐬,” 𝐀𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨-𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨 𝐔𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡
In line with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. of advancing food security and sustainability through modern technology transfer, and through the leadership of Department of Agriculture’s Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), led by National Director Elizer Salilig, successfully launched HitoNics, its newest aquaponics technology demonstration at the National Inland Fisheries Technology Center (BFAR-NIFTC) in Tanay, Rizal, today, March 28, 2025.

Also present during the launching activity, organized by the BFAR-NIFTC, were DA-BFAR Assistant Director for Technical Services, Isidro M. Velayo, Jr., representatives from the Bureau’s Central Office and National Technology Centers, and officials and employees of the BFAR-NIFTC, led by its Center Chief, Mr. Romualdo Pol.

The launching activity featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the HitoNics techno-demo facility for community engagement, comprehensive introduction of the project, and a tour around the center’s aquaculture development facilities.

𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨-𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭

Developed by the BFAR-NIFTC, this innovative techno-demo effectively combines the culture of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) or Hito and cultivation of plants in one mutually beneficial production system.

HitoNics utilizes a structure that is made up of concrete tanks for catfish culture, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) food-grade drums as plant beds, and a pump for mechanical filtration.

A distinctive feature of this system is its use of growing media such as gravel and pumice, which support plant roots, enabling it to grow a diverse range of plants, including leafy greens, flowering plants, and fruit-bearing varieties such as tomatoes, eggplants, and bell peppers.

African Catfish is known for its fast growth rate and adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions, making them resilient and an ideal species for farming systems, including aquaponics. In the Philippines, hito is high in demand in specialty restaurants nationwide, including Metro Manila.

“Our direction towards developing the catfish industry is by boosting its grow-out production, and the HitoNics technology is one of the promising ways to do this,” said BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig.

“The NIFTC, along with the BFAR regional fisheries offices, shall be the training ground for individuals and groups who are interested to venture into catfish farming using the effective technology that we already have, and of course, this new aquaponics technology,” he added.

𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐨-𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬

Requiring minimal space for setup, HitoNics is a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to food security challenges, particularly in urban areas where space and resources are scarce.

Furthermore, this technology operates on a closed-loop system, recirculating water between the fish tank and plant beds, which conserves water, and eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

HitoNics can be a sustainable investment for both food production and alternative livelihoods. For example, after a four-month culture period, a 2x3x1 meter concrete tank and HDPE drums can yield 1,500 catfish and 162 cups of lettuce over three farming cycles. After deducting operational costs, a single unit generates a net profit of Php 12,555.00.

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡: 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭 “𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲”

In addition to expanding the range of aquaculture technologies offered by the DA-BFAR, HitoNics aims to dispel common misconceptions surrounding catfish and its farming methods.

Catfish farming is often viewed as “dirty” due to environmental and management concerns such as waste accumulation, poor water quality, and overcrowding, leading to significant waste that is consumed by the fish, which are natural bottom feeders.

However, catfish are not inherently dirty, and with proper management, many of these issues can be addressed.

Adhering to Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP), including proper waste management, water filtration, and minimizing chemical use, can significantly reduce farming issues.

The DA-BFAR has been actively promoting these practices not only in catfish farming but across the aquaculture sector.

The HitoNics technology shows how aquaponic systems can provide a clean and healthy environment where catfish can thrive.

The HitoNics techno-demo at the BFAR-NIFTC is now open for community engagement, with public tours and hands-on training and seminars to educate interested individuals, students, and local farmers about the potential of the technology.

For more information on the HitoNics or to request a tour or technical assistance, visit the National Inland Fisheries Technology Center in Tanay, Rizal or email them at niftc@bfar.da.gov.ph.

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Credit to: BFAR Philippines https://www.facebook.com/BFARPhilippines