CSU spearheads 1st Caraga Pangasius Harvest Festival

Caraga State University together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Caraga Region held the 1st Caraga Pangasius Harvest Festival at Sanchez Gymnasium last February 18, 2011.

Dr. Danilo A. Gaas, Director of the Office for Resource Generation (ORG) led and spearheaded the said activity. The Pangasius Harvest Festival was CSU’s way to promote the Pangasius industry
that is potential for income generation of the CSU as well as the entire Caraga Region. Some of the activities highlighting the festival were Fish Catching Contest, Pangasius Fish Processing Demonstration, Cooking Demonstration, Pangasius Cooking Contests, etc.

Dr. Gaas (photo at left) led the Fish Catching Contest early morning in the Demo Pond despite the rain showers. The fish catching was participated by energized students of CSU who were eager to get their hands on the squirming Pangasius. Other than that, the university invited chefs, caterers, and interested individuals to join the different activities.

Pangasius is a genus of catfishes and from the family of Pangasiidae. It is an exotic specie of fish farmed in Asia particularly in Vietnam where it is abundant.

Although Pangasius is gaining recognition in Butuan, it is still unknown to other regions in the Philippines. In Mindanao and in CSU, Pangasius is becoming one of its favorite dishes. The exotic fish can be cooked in different manners. To name a few mouth watering recipes, Pangasius can be fried, breaded, kinilaw, fish fillet, etc.

Last year, Caraga State University also hosted “Pangasius Techno Demo Ponds”. These ponds served as laboratories for testing and research of the exotic fish Pangasius. This is also for the benefit of the agriculture and fishery student so that they can have the opportunity and experience the actual exposure on how to develop and operate the Pangasius pond. More information regarding the Demo Ponds was shown d the presentation “Pangasius Techno Demo Pond at CSU”.

Overall, the festival was considered by many as a great success. The students enjoyed the Fish Catching Contest and the faculty with the students witnessed how Pangasius can be prepared into different delicious dishes. Moreover, CSU looks forward for the next Pangasius Festival and the accomplishment of promoting Pangasius industry.