First aqua business school launched in Batangas

MANILA, Philippines — The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) has launched its first aqua business school in Batangas this month to reinforce the country’s aquaculture sector.

The NFRDI is targeting to establish and operate its four national centers as aqua business schools (ABS) and venues for technology business incubation (TBI).

The first was launched in Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Center (FFRDC) in Taal, Batangas.

Its other national centers are the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center (MFRDC) in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Brackishwater Fisheries Research and Development Center (BFRDC) in Lala, Lanao del Norte, and DA-Fisheries Biotechnology Center (DA-FBC) in Munoz, Nueva Ecija.

ABS-TBI is a three-year program funded by NFRDI which aims to capacitate chosen fish farmer-beneficiaries from 10 regions of the country to become successful entrepreneurs in various commodities, including milkfish, tilapia, catfish, maliputo, ornamental fish, sea cucumber, abalone, freshwater prawn, and mangrove crab.

“A total of 16 packages of technologies (POTs) with 70 fisherfolk beneficiaries will benefit from ABS-TBI. The POTs through the village-level strategy will help ensure sustainable food supply for the community, eventually benefitting the whole country,” NFRDI executive director Lilian Garcia said.

Under the program, mature technologies from the NFRDI, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) are handed over to fisherfolk to enhance their techniques in growing fish and to boost the aquaculture industry, FFRDC chief and ABS-TBI program leader Maria Theresa Mutia said.

From fish stocking to harvesting, the program will also provide training and other capacity-building activities.

“For two cycles, we commit to provide for all their expenses and technical assistance until they can continue with the next harvest. After two cycles, we expect they will be able to sustain their business,” Mutia said.

BFAR national director Demosthenes Escoto said the aquaculture sector contributed 54.13 percent or more than half of the country’s total fisheries production last year.

“This (ABS-TBI) program is a powerful reinforcement to the government’s effort to further maximize the potential of the aquaculture industry in ensuring sustainable fish production, the livelihood of fisherfolk, and national food security. The BFAR assures that whatever we will achieve in this program will be sustained,” he said.

The training program covers entrepreneurship topics such as marketing, financial statements and record keeping.

In previous projects, Mutia noted that fish farmers who are doing business are not very knowledgeable about record keeping.

The program also aims to facilitate smooth business conduct by linking all actors involved in the fish farming value chain, from producers to consumers. Additionally, the program aims to empower fish farmers by giving them a voice in the market price.

Taal Mayor Fulgencio Mercado welcomed the establishment of the aqua business school-technology business incubation program in the heritage town.

“Taal fisherfolk have benefitted from the programs of NFRDI… What you give to the people is not limited to modern ways of fisheries, more importantly, you are giving them hope, and that hope will shape the future they will look forward to. The best part is that NFRDI is part of the future,” he said.

The ABS-TBI program is in collaboration with BFAR Central Office, BFAR Regional Offices 1, CAR, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10, Provincial Fishery Office, local government units, SEAFDEC-Aquaculture Department and Manila Economic and Cultural Office–Taipei Economic and Cultural Office .

NFRDI is an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture tasked to conduct research and development for fisheries.