In Mianay, Sigma, Capiz, Matar Farm stands as a testament to how science-based interventions can transform micro-enterprise into a thriving aqua powerhouse. For owner Mr. Rex De Justo, the farm’s journey was once defined by unpredictability and loss; today, it is defined by precision and profit. 

In its early years, Matar Farm faced the realities of small-scale aquaculture. Despite Mr. De Justo’s hardwork, the farm was plagued by low fry survival rates, poor water quality, and a lack of standardized procedures. Without a system for sorting, grading, and induced spawning, production was more a matter of luck than management, severely limiting the farm’s income potential. 

Recognizing the need for technical assistance, Matar Farm sought the expertise of the Department of Science and Technology-Western Visayas (DOST Western Visayas). Through availing the Agricultural Productivity (AP) Consultancy, AP Consultant Dr. Roy C. Villanueva conducted an on-site assessment of the farm and provided recommendations to upgrade hatchery and nursery infrastructure with proper tanks and filtration, implement strict water-quality monitoring and filtration systems, and source high-quality breeders. 

The AP consultant worked alongside the owner to implement the corresponding actions. A hands-on training on the induced spawning of African catfish was provided, establishing standardized protocols for spawning and nursery operations. Hatchery and nursery systems were upgraded through the installation of improvised tanks with aeration and basic filtration, addressing issues with water quality, contamination, and stock loss. Feeding management was improved using commercial fry mash and fry booster, resulting in better growth and survival. Awareness of proper sorting, grading, and nursery management was strengthened, contributing to more efficient fry handling. As a result, based on the consultant’s progress report on November 2025, fry production increased significantly, from an estimated 4,000 fry hatch volume before the consultancy to over 110,000 across three batches, resulting in a roughly tenfold increase in net income.

For Mr. De Justo, his biggest catch is not the catfish, but the AP consultancy offered by the DOST Western Visayas, with Dr. Villanueva as the consultant. “Madamo gid nga salamat sa DOST! Maraming salamat sa training paagi sa Agricultural Productivity Consultancy. Nakabenepisyo ako kag na correct ang sala nga pamaagi sa pagbreed sang hito. Indi ko gid ini malipatan. Welcome gid kamo sa akon farm,” [Thank you very much to DOST! Thank you for the training through the Agricultural Productivity Consultancy. I truly benefited from it. My mistakes in breeding catfish were corrected. I will never forget this. You are always welcome at my farm.] Mr. De Justo expressed his gratitude to the DOST Western Visayas and the consultant.

Matar Farm’s evolution proves that while technology provides the tools, it is the owner’s dedication that wields them. Mr. De Justo’s willingness to adapt and collaborate with DOST has transformed his livelihood.

Through this Agricultural Productivity Consultancy, DOST continues to demonstrate how practical, science-based solutions can strengthen rural livelihoods and local farms. (RAPizon, MCPielago/DOST Capiz; Photos by: DIDeJusto/Matar Farm, PMOBautista/RDIMS, VBDelaPeña, LNGGebauer/DOST Capiz)

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 (𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛) 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺’𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘴, 𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘚&𝘛 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵—𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰.

#DOSTWesternVisayas #OneDOST4U #SolutionsAndOpportunitiesForAll #DOSTCapiz