Fisherfolk cashing in on lobster
Don’t look now, but small fishermen in Caraga region are cashing in on the Spiny Lobster known in science as Pinalurus ornatus which thrives in the clean coastal waters in the two provinces of Surigao and Dinagat Island.
Previously, only the moneyed investors could afford to raise the Spiny Lobster, hiring the small fisherfolk to grow the expensive crustacean for them. The reason is that the fingerlings which cost R500 for 50-grammers are simply beyond the reach of the poor fishermen.
Thanks to a four-year rural development program in Region 12 or Caraga, the small fishermen can now acquire the expensive lobster fingerlings for their own grow out operation, thus making for themselves handsome profit. The countryside development program is the Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP) that is funded with $16 million for four years by the US Department of Agriculture and implemented by Winrock International.
Under the program, the small fisherfolk can borrow from the First Community Cooperative (FICCO) which is the partner of Winrock in implementing the project. The loan is guaranteed by PCCP, but the farmer does not receive any cash. When he receives the fingerlings, he sighs a document which is given to the fingerling supplier who then exchange it for cash at FICCO.
The lobster fingerlings are expensive, all right, but then when they are grown to market size of at least 500 grams each, they fetch a handsome price. The current price, according to Winrock aquaculturist Joselito Nobillos, ranges from R2,000 to R2,500 per kilo. Most of the time it is R2,300 per kilo. There is no problem selling the big lobsters because there’s not enough supply to meet the demand from Hong Kong and China alone.
One fellow who availed himself of a FICCO loan for his first crop of lobster in 2014 is Ronald Valencia of Cagdianao, Dinagat Island. He borrowed R81,700 for 200 lobster fingerlings which he raised in a cage right beside where he and his family live.
After taking care of the fingerlings for one year, he sold the market-size lobsters of 500 grams each and above. After paying his loan from FICCO, he was richer by R214,850. He did not spend much for feeding his lobsters because he fed them with the trash fish he caught from the sea.
What did he do with his money? He reinvested R120,350 on 313 lobster fingerlings that he is currently culturing. He used the rest to pay other personal loans and to buy a new motorcycle.
His profit from his lobsters means a monthly net income of R17,904.16. Before PCCP came to his life, Ronald only made an average income of R3,750 a month.
Many other farm families are likewise deriving additional incomes from other projects. Many of the families are into hog raising. In hog raising, Winrock’s partner is Pilmico which supplies the feeds and technical know-how.
Another group of beneficiaries are into vegetables and fruit production. East-West Seed is providing the expertise and the improved seeds. The vegetable farmers are also supported through the loans from FICCO.
MARKETING CENTER – In another front PCCP is tackling the problem of lack of facility that will cater to producers and traders who want to sort and pack perishable produce from Caraga to be ready for shipping to other places.
Last Otobr 15, Nasipit Mayor Enrico Corvera and Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development signed a memorandum of agreement for the establishment of an integrated marketing center under the PCCP.
PCCP is providing more than R13-million in grant funds to build the Caraga Integrated Marketing Center or CRIMC that will serve as the processing center of perishable farm products for shipment to other places. The local government of Nasipit, on the other hand, is spending less than R2 million for rental and development of the land where the center will be built.
PCCP Chief of Party Daniel Gudahl said that common problems for banana growers and traders such as high shipment cost and deterioration of product quality can now be avoided. This will raise the income of traders and growers coming into Nasipit port because food waste will be minimized and the product can be sold at higher prices because quality is retained, he said.
The facility will have the equipment and manpower for grading and packing of fruits and vegetables. A boxing machine, heavy duty weighing scale, crates, pallets, sprayers and sorting tables will be made available for local traders at a fee-for-service scheme.