The Government of Taiwan is going to help the Department of Agriculture in Belize to build a $5 million tilapia hatchery at Center Farm in the Cayo District.
A ground-breaking ceremony involving Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, Mr. David Wu and the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Gaspar Vega got the ball rolling Thursday afternoon, July 18. .
The five year project calls for a large building and 18 earth ponds, a reservoir, a sedimentation pond, and 16 concrete tanks.
The plan is to produce a million all male fingerlings at a time to spur the development of Tilapia farming operations in Belize.
Modern tilapia culture technology will increase Belize’s annual tilapia production for export and as a valuable source of protein for the local population. It is also part of the plan to use tilapia as an alternative commercial feed.
Tilapia is a white, low-fat fish, excellent for broiling and baking. It has become the most important aquaculture fish in the world.
