Amid the uncertainty of the pandemic, Aida Dris Martinez made a bold choice to return home to the Philippines after nearly 30 years as an OFW in Italy. Together with her husband, also an OFW, she transformed their modest rice field in Baruyan, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, into a thriving aquaculture and agricultural enterprise. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, determination, and innovation.

When Martinez returned in 2021, she and her husband had no stable income. Determined to start fresh, they cultivated their one-hectare rice field and managed two ponds for a tilapia hatchery, later expanding to four. With limited aquaculture experience, they depended on a caretaker and occasional guidance from technicians from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

But despite their hard work, challenges in maintaining quality and navigating the complexities of fish farming became a turning point—one that would soon reshape their journey.

Becoming an ABS-TBI incubatee

In 2023, Martinez was recommended by a BFAR technician to join the AquaBiz School–Technology Business Incubation (ABS-TBI) program of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI). Through the program, she gained essential knowledge in aquaculture technology, laying the foundation for her farm’s expansion.

With NFRDI’s guidance, she and her husband added three more ponds, ranging from 450 to 900 square meters. Formerly a traditional tilapia grower with 4–6-month grow-out cycles, Martinez transitioned to fingerling production using NFRDI’s package of technology (POT) for tilapia. Her output rose from 50,000 fingerlings per year in a 100 sq. m. pond to 125,000 annually—earning a net income of Php 122,700.

By adopting science-based practices in pond preparation, feeding, water management, and stocking, she significantly boosted productivity, turning a modest setup into a thriving aquabusiness.

The program also empowered her to diversify, integrating hito (catfish) farming alongside tilapia, further enhancing the farm’s productivity and sustainability. This diversification has provided her family with added financial security and stability.

Impact of the program

Martinez credits much of her success to NFRDI’s AquaBiz School Program. “The best thing I learned from the program is how to raise good tilapia fingerlings and to record everything that is happening to my pond,” she proudly shared.The program not only enhanced her technical skills but also instilled a disciplined, data-driven approach to farm management—key to her long-term success.

As one of six incubatees in the ABS-TBI program, she actively engages in collaboration and peer support. She visits fellow incubatees’ farms, offers insights, and helps meet supply demands when needed. Her work ethic also shines in her role as a Sangguniang Barangay member, where she has served her community since 2023.

Committed to continuous learning, Martinez regularly attends seminars on aquaculture feeds and farm management—further strengthening her knowledge and ensuring the continued success of her growing ventures.

Her story is a powerful testament to how education, resilience, and government support can transform lives. From working as an OFW in Italy to becoming a successful aquapreneur in the Philippines, she turned adversity into opportunity—and opportunity into triumph.

Today, her thriving farm is more than a business; it’s a beacon of empowerment—boosting the local economy and inspiring fellow Filipinos to pursue sustainable, purpose-driven livelihoods. ### (Norvida Gatdula)