The National Shrimp Production Program (NSPP), also called HIPON is a program of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that focuses on the shrimp industry in the Philippines. With the vast fishery resources in the country, the shrimp industry has much potential for growth, and to further extend the bureau’s commitment to boost Philippine shrimp industry, the program was created. With a mission
of “development of a cost-competitive, quality-driven, supply reliable, product diversified value chain from farming to shrimp products manufacturing under sustainable practices.” Its main goal is to provide a mechanism for the industry to improve production of the country’s shrimp farms, expand exports and improve the socio-economic well-being of stakeholders. Due to the increasing demands, it evolved into a bigger scope from health management to production. The program aims to increase shrimp production while promulgating the four pillars of responsible aquaculture identified as food safety, socio-economic welfare, environmental protection, and animal health and welfare. The program is also conducting farm registration and accreditation, promote good aquaculture practices, ensure biosecurity, diseases surveillance, monitoring and reporting. The strategies of the program focuses on: (a) formulating management policies, programs and measures for sustainable shrimp industry; (b) develop linkage with the industry academe and regional aquaculture institutions; (c) update and monitor production data; (d) provide technical assistance to farmers and promote new farming technologies; (e) participate in local and international conferences, trainings, workshops to upgrade technical know-how and managerial skills of BFAR personnel to enable the efficient and effective delivery of services; and (f) development of shrimp school to revert the issue on farm technician deficiency, like the only recently established BFAR-owned P. vannamei hatchery in Mindoro. Furthermore, the HIPON program directly work with the industry through lectures, meetings, workshops, seminars, public consultations, dialogues, congresses to update growers, hatchery operators and farm technicians, to formulate and draft policies relevant to the needs of the industry and to protect the interest of the consuming public and the environment. Also, the program intends to establish shrimp schools depending on the availability of funds in six (6) BFAR facilities and establishment of Shrimp Nurseries (Techno-demo) in 6 BFAR Technology Centers
Due to limitations brought about by Covd-19 pandemic, ongoing activities like “HIPonLINE” an on-line training on fundamentals about shrimp and webinar on business opportunities entitled “Shrimp it Up” are also some of the project of the programs.
