The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), Department of Science and Technology, has approved a P4.1-million grant to determine the best strain of tilapia suited for the Cordilleras. Tilapia is an affordable source of protein, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. It is currently cultured in fish terraces similar to the rice terraces; however, the cold climate is not the best condition for growing the warm water species. The Cordilleras is hungry for more fish, so much so that dried fish is a premium commodity in the high mountains, especially in times of typhoons when landslides shut down roads and the fish supply.

Icamina, P. M. (2018, March 23). Tilapia with better genes swims upstream to Cordillera highlands. Malaya Business Insight, p. A2.