Rice-Fish Culture: A Step Toward Food Security

In a bold stride toward sustainable agriculture, Dapitan City has launched an experiment that could reshape rural livelihoods in Barangay Ma. Uray. On April 8, 2025, the City Agriculture Office, in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region IX, released 600 red tilapia fingerlings into the rice f ields of farmer Arlim Pasco. This initiative marks the launch of a rice-fish culture project, a dual-purpose farming model that promises to yield both rice and fish from the same plot of land.

By integrating fish into rice paddies, farmers can optimize land use, boost income, and diversify food sources—an appealing prospect in a country where food security remains precarious. If successful, it could inspire other barangays to follow suit, transforming idle rice fields into vibrant ecosystems. For now, Arlim Pasco’s field serves as an active testing ground, with its tilapia population reflecting the city’s goals.