In Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, a quiet revolution in aquaculture is making waves and it’s led by the Kiblawan Tilapia Raisers Association (KTRA). What began as a shared dream among local farmers has now transformed into a thriving community-based enterprise, bringing food to the table and hope for the future.
With support from the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office XI (DA-BFAR 11) through the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Phase 2 Program, KTRA has transformed small ripples of effort into a steady tide of success.
Formed in 2023 with 37 members united by a single goal of improving their livelihoods through sustainable tilapia farming, KTRA has evolved into a tightly knit team of 33 dedicated individuals, including 3 women and 30 men. Each member contributes to keeping the ponds teeming and the business thriving, taking on essential tasks such as feeding, monitoring water quality, harvesting, and marketing their fresh catch. Beyond selling live tilapia, the association also explored value-added products to expand their market and ensure the long-term growth of their venture.
Over just four (4) cropping cycles, KTRA’s tilapia production has shown remarkable growth:
1st Crop: 5,422 kg
2nd Crop: 7,854 kg
3rd Crop: 9,459 kg
4th Crop: 9,249.5 kg
In total, over 32,000 kilograms of fresh tilapia have been harvested generating a combined income of Php 4,414,905.
Building on their success in fresh fish production, KTRA is now venturing into value-added processing. Initial products such as Tilanggit (tilapia danggit) and dried tilapia have started gaining attention in nearby markets, paving the way for greater profitability, brand recognition, and wider market reach.
KTRA is also strengthening its business operations by enhancing packaging and labeling, forging stronger ties with local buyers, and reinvesting in growth. Recent improvements include the construction of a new 1,000-square-meter communal pond, a shed for operations, and a savings fund with the KMPC to help finance feed requirements for the FY 2025 production cycles.
For KTRA Chairman Marcelo Alquiza, the group’s achievements are a clear reminder that perseverance pays off.
“Nagpaslamat mi sa BFAR SAAD nga gitagaan mi ug proyekto nga ingon ani. Kung magkugi lang gyud ta, moabot gyud ug ingon ani kadagko ang atong isda ug kita. Dili gyud ta maproblema ug panud an.”
(We are grateful to BFAR SAAD for providing us with a project like this. As long as we are diligent, both fish and earnings will prosper this way. We’ll never struggle with having enough to eat.)
What started as a livelihood project has become a source of pride for Kiblawan. From ponds to plates, KTRA’s journey shows that when people work together, the harvest is not just measured in kilos of fish – but in the strength of community, the promise of opportunity, and the taste of a better tomorrow.
