CLSU, BFAR‑NFTC project to turn crayfish into high‑value, sustainable commodity

Title Revolutionizing Crayfish Farming CLSU and BFAR-NFTC's High-Value, Sustainable Commodity Project

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Freshwater Technology Center (BFAR NFTC) have collaborated to transform Australian red claw crayfish cultivation in the Philippines. This innovative project aims to turn crayfish into a high-value, sustainable commodity, contributing to national production and supply while improving the livelihoods of fisherfolk.

The initiative was launched on January 15, with Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., senior Department of Agriculture (DA) officials, foreign investors, and researchers in attendance. The project's potential for market growth was highlighted by Secretary Laurel, who emphasized the demand for crayfish in tourist spots like Bohol and Palawan. This aligns with the DA's broader goal to diversify farmers' income streams beyond traditional rice and fish.

The partnership between CLSU and BFAR NFTC focuses on scaling up red claw crayfish production through field testing and the integration of rice-crayfish culture, allowing farmers to harvest two high-value commodities from the same plot. The on-farm verification trial will run for four to five months across four experimental ponds in Nueva Ecija, monitoring survival rates, growth performance, feed conversion, and overall profitability.

The project's success relies on the use of certified local hatcheries or BFAR facilities, adhering to Administrative Circular 001, Series of 2025, which sets national guidelines for red claw crayfish culture and enforces strict biosecurity measures. The prototype hatchery at the National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center maintains a broodstock population of 30 females and 10 males, capable of producing up to 5,000 craylings per cycle.

If successful, BFAR plans to roll out full-scale technology demonstrations, packaging protocols for nationwide adoption. This could lead to the establishment of inland farms that supply premium crayfish to domestic markets and eventually export channels, creating jobs and boosting rural economies.

Keywords CLSU, BFAR-NFTC, red claw crayfish, sustainable commodity, high-value production, aquaculture, agriculture, Philippines

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