FOOD security tops the community empowerment projects lined up by the regional Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7) for Central Visayas, the agency’s regional chief said yesterday.
In yesterday’s 888 News Forum, DOST regional director Edilberto Paradela said one of their projects is the culturing of catfishes and breadfruit or kulo in Barangay Bondo, Borbon town in northern Cebu.
“We want to further improve their system through science and technology to develop products that are climate-change resistant,” he said.
Paradela said catfishes can adapt well to climate change.
“They hibernate in muddy areas during the drought and go out to fresh waters when it rains. In Calinan, Davao City, they are consuming 3,000 tons of catfish every day. So culturing catfish is both a good business and provides a sustainable food supply to our community,” Paradela said.
He said breadfruit or kulo can be a very good substitute for rice.
“Breadfruit can grow better in pacific countries,” Paradela said.
He said the fruit can be vacuum fried and the tree produces latex, the primary ingredient for rubber.
Paradela also cited the Visayas Regional Scientific Meeting attended by Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña as part of their office programs to develop more scientists.
Secretary de la Peña said the event aims to empower citizens through productive technologies./Siliman University Intern Ray Chen S. Bahinting