The world of aquaculture in Panama, with its various projects, has positively impacted the economies of the families that are dedicated to this activity in the country and at the same time benefiting countless communities that are nourished by the production of food that is generated.

On this occasion we want to highlight the work being carried out by the Finca Agrosostenible, SA project, located in the community of Las Marías, district of Río Indio de Penonomé, a forested area of ​​springs in the province of Coclé, where as soon as dawn breaks the team is activated. human dedicated to moving an entire gear that gives life to the activity from the feeding, growth, development and care of the tilapia fry that in the end will result in a quality and accessible product.

This project of Finca Agrosostenible SA, which has become an innovation in aquaculture, is directed by its owner Armando Espino who has believed in it and its success has been based on dedication, dedication and sacrifice to be able to obtain the results that today are available, combined with the support of the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP).

In this five-year period, aquaculture has reemerged in Panama and the support that ARAP has given to Finca Agrosostenible, SA has been an important pillar in the technical and scientific part, together with the general administrator of the entity, Hamed Tuñón, who has believed in this type of projects, so that the legacy he learned does not end, but continues.

Tuñón indicated that they have given the same support to many other projects such as that of the Cascajal Producers Association in La Pintada also in Coclé, as well as support to associations in the province of Darién in the area of ​​Sansoncito and La Moneda to aquaculture producers. . Another association is that of the Tres Hermanas community in Capira that is fully dedicated to the cultivation of tilapia.

For the aquaculture specialist of the ARAP Regional of Coclé, Miguel De León, in all the Regionals of the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama, the social program of carrying out the sustainable production of crops of aquatic organisms is maintained, through of aquaculture, which in this case is the cultivation of fish, crustaceans and mollusks, in order to guarantee food security in marginalized places throughout the country, including educational centers.

De León adds that in the province of Coclé the activity has remained at the forefront and not only in the social part, but also with a trend towards the commercial part, such as the projects of tilapia cultivation in geomembrane vats, vats Australian ponds and earthen ponds. He adds that there are other projects in and that the production promotion team, through its specialists, in the province have achieved the expected success, with the hope of continuing to grow more every day, until forming a much larger package. and therefore obtain foreign exchange for the country, through the export of these aquatic resources.

The Finca Agrosostenible, SA, of Las Marías Penonomé has brought hope to many people by providing food supplies such as tilapia, especially to low-income school sectors in the province of Coclé, where they have been able to witness the great protein benefits they offer.

This project in Coclé has a product processing plant whose packaging is vacuum taking into account quality and hygiene standards, so that when it reaches the consumer it is suitable for consumption and provides a healthy diet.

The owner of Finca Agrososnible, SA, Armando Espino assured that this project arises motivated to bring healthy and good products. He adds that the biggest advantage tilapia has is that it takes less than a pound of feed to produce a pound of fish on fish farms.

Espino adds that as a company they are focused on promoting projects in the agricultural sector where production is friendly and with quality. He adds that the project has been his own effort that he has developed, however, he recognized that along the way he has received important support from the ARAP, whose support he maintained is its supervision and total support for what is added value.

The aquaculturist established in Penonomé did not want to fail to mention the support that the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (Senacyt) has also given them in the conversion of the project to renewable energy sources and thus develop a circular economy for other crops.

Currently, Finca Agrosostenible, SA has two processes in the project: one is the cultivation of tilapia with an intensive system, which works with water recirculation, a system that provides benefits, such as control over water quality, aeration artificial, which avoids the low concentration of dissolved oxygen in the crop, as well as the provision of balanced food, development of high protein values, the possibility of developing accelerated growth and therefore greater production.

Espino proudly comments that they have a plant where tilapia is processed in two ways: fresh whole tilapia and tilapia fillet. This mini plant, he argued, has been developed based on health regulations with a guarantee of offering a premium quality product.

Tilapia, he explained, contains five times less fat than lean pork, it is also a product that children consume as part of a healthy and balanced diet, since tilapia with its soft texture quickly acquires any species or sauce that is used. use in your preparation.

The advantages of consuming tilapia is that it is digested quickly and when prepared as a fillet it does not contain bones, in addition to being nutritious as it is a source of Omega 3, healthy for the heart and a food that provides balanced nutrition, which contributes to healthy development. of people.

To give you an idea of ​​the great contribution that Finca Agrosostenible, SA provides to the country, especially to the province of Coclé, the markets it has are basically restaurants, mini supermarkets, supermarkets and also school establishments trying to help children learn to Diversify your diet and acquire healthy and balanced food.

Armando Espino, who reiterated his gratitude to the ARAP for so much support, pointed out that for him it is important to support sustainable aquaculture producers and to begin to make a difference by consuming what they produce at the national level. He added his great desire for this type of projects to continue growing, so that it continues to have a great impact on the communities.