DAGUPAN CITY – City Mayor Belen Fernandez expressed her desire to put up aquaponics in schools and in barangays in line with her program for additional livelihood in the city.
She said the establishment of aquaponics in the city of Dagupan was discussed during her recent meeting with Mary Ann Salomon, provincial fishery officer of Pangasinan of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Urban aquaponics is a combination of 'aquaculture' and 'hydroponics' where fish and various plants will be raised together in an integrated system.
It is the combination of raising crops in water instead of soil while also raising fish.
The basic cycle of aquaponics is fish are in the water to make waste. The waste is broken down by the microbes in the water to form a type of nitrogen known as nitrate to fertilize the plants.
Meanwhile, BFAR, assured to provide orientation and training to schools on how to operate the aquaponics machine.
The project will be funded by BFAR and while Ecotech will be the supplier of the tools to be used.
If she can have her way, Mayor Belen wants the project to be established soon.