Tilapia is positioned as a key resource for the integral development of rural communities in the highlands and jungle of Peru.
Photo: Produce.
Peru's Ministry of Production (Produce) has approved a resolution extending the scope of the Tilapia Farming Management Plan in Artificial Environments to four new regions, Ayacucho, Apurímac, Huancavelica and Cusco, thus strengthening aquaculture in the Andes.
Produce emphasized that this measure will allow these regions to diversify their aquaculture production and strengthen their local economies.
"With the inclusion of the new departments, Produce seeks not only to improve tilapia production but also to reduce the supply deficit at the national level and increase the supply of this nutritious resource for the benefit of the country's food security," said Peru's Ministry of Production in its release.
"This effort contributes directly to the fight against poverty in the Andean regions, promoting social inclusion by strengthening the local economy and creating new job opportunities," it continued.
Tilapia farming does not depend on specific seasons, is highly productive, and is highly resistant to diseases and adverse conditions, which is why Produce claims that it is a key activity for fish farmers.
"These characteristics make tilapia an ideal option to boost the economy of small producers in regions that, until now, had not been included in the plan," it added.
In 2023, tilapia production reached 2,791 metric tons (MT) in Peru, representing 2.7% of the country's total aquaculture harvest. Tilapia farming, which ranks fourth in importance within the Peruvian aquaculture sector, generated PEN 11.7 million (EUR 2.8 million / USD 3.1 million).
With these figures, tilapia aquaculture also contributed significantly to employment with 2,600 direct jobs and indirectly benefiting more than 10,000 people, mostly in rural areas and through small producers.
Tilapia is thus positioned as a key resource for the integral development of rural communities in the highlands and jungle of Peru, opening up new possibilities for economic growth and social welfare.
With the addition of these four Andean regions to the Plan, there are now ten departments in the country where it is applied, since until now it was operating in six regions of the Amazon area. Produce emphasized that this measure is an important step towards strengthening sustainable aquaculture in Peru.
"The modification of the Management Plan is a sign of Produce's commitment to the development of sustainable aquaculture that not only improves the living conditions of aquaculture producers but also boosts the competitiveness of this sector in the national market," said the Peruvian authority.
This measure is in addition to others that Peru's government has been adopting in recent times to support aquaculture in the country and covers various areas ranging from the promotion of marine aquaculture diversification to the commitment to innovation and technology to boost the aquaculture chain, through the generic training of aquaculture agents -8,619 just in the first nine months of the year -, or even specific training in sanitary management.
Produce's announcement on the new ministerial resolution that has added four regions to the Tilapia Farming Management Plan, concluded by assuring that with this measure "the government continues to advance in its goal of consolidating an inclusive, efficient and sustainable aquaculture sector, aligned with the country's economic and social development objectives."