Climate-resilient technology gives NegOcc crab farmers a second chance

Den Vincent Puso

Inside a shaded structure in Ilog, Negros Occidental, mud crabs now grow in rows of individual plastic cages. Water continuously moves through the system; its quality and temperature can be checked; each crab can be fed, observed, and harvested without pulling a heavy cage from the river.

For members of the Ilog Entrepreneurs Association (IEA), this system represents something their livelihood once lacked: control.

When the association entered mud crab fattening in 2024, its members relied on bamboo-and-wood cages placed directly in brackish river water. They could choose when to feed the crabs and when to check the cages, but much of the business remained in the hands of the environment

On good days, the setup would work, but when the weather shifted, that same setup quickly became a risk.

When irregular weather and extreme heat struck, the crabs were the first to be hit, making it more likely for them to die before being harvested. Moreover, due to how heavy bamboo-and-wood cages were, retrieving them became harder.

“We had a difficult time before because we were using traditional cages made of bamboo and wood. It was difficult to harvest the crabs whenever the weather changed, because the cages were heavy. Some crabs would die.” IEA president Trinidad Diamante said in Hiligaynon.

When crabs died, the group not only lost stock, but also profit and morale. This left the association with only 7 active members. A livelihood meant to strengthen a community began pushing people away.

Despite the challenges, however, they were determined to make it happen. After seeking help from the Central Philippines State University (CPSU)-Ilog, the university introduced Crab Vertical Farming Technology (CVFT)

The system places mud crabs in individual cages made from recycled plastic containers. These cages are then arranged inside a shaded structure, away from the full exposure of the river.

A submersible pump keeps water, along with specially formulated components, moving through the system. Farmers can monitor water quality and temperature more closely, maintaining a stabler growing environment for the crabs. Diamante attested that it can increase the weight of mud crabs; from an initial 200 grams, CVFTs can add at least another 100 in two weeks time.

These small changes can mean the difference between harvesting weeks of work or losing it all to bad weather.

Additionally, because the cages use recycled materials, Dr. Paul Doronila, research director of CPSU-Ilog, reported that the setup costs 40 to 50 percent less than comparable commercial systems.

With the IEA now using CVFTs, members were able to resume crab fattening. Results were not just seen in the crabs—but also in people returning to the enterprise.

From seven active members, the association has grown again to 15.

For Diamante, the difference is also emotional. Because of the technology, they are no longer as afraid whenever bad weather comes. They can continue fattening and harvesting mud crabs using both the new system and their traditional methods.

Due to this, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) offered a P300,000 project grant to fund another batch of CVFTs. This time, with improvements. 

DSWD-SLP project deployment officer Precious Apryl Cayot said that the expansion will also include a solar-powered system to cover for long periods of power outages.

Beyond the expansion in Ilog, CPSU-Ilog plans to make the technology available to other community-based organizations; Doronila said the university is willing to transfer CVFTs to interested groups nationwide free of charge.

“The technology is intended for transfer to the community and not for commercialization,” he said, emphasizing that the system was designed for livelihood support and not for profit.

In Ilog, the system has already given its community a second chance. For others, it may offer a way to keep their livelihood being left entirely at the mercy of the weather.