To empower participants with the skills, mindset, and motivation to transition from subsistence fishing to sustainable, business-oriented aquaculture, the Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), through its AquaBiz School and Technology Business Incubation (ABS-TBI) program, conducted a hands-on, value-based entrepreneurial training for its incubatees on July 1-3, 2025, in Butong, Taal, Batangas.

In her message, NFRDI Officer-in-Charge Dr. Ma. Theresa Mutia shared how the program began with nothing more than a single concept written on paper, a simple idea that has since grown into a national program making tangible impacts in the lives of fisherfolk across the country. She emphasized that this humble beginning is proof that with vision, dedication, and collaboration, even the smallest ideas can spark meaningful change. She also reassured the participants that NFRDI is steadfast in its commitment to guiding and supporting their transformation from traditional fisherfolk into empowered, business-minded aquapreneurs.

Serving as resource speakers were Brian Belen, founder and president of Marelson Farm and Education Center OPC (One Person Corporation), who delivered lectures on entrepreneurship; and Romermart Aubigne Peñamora of the DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) who highlighted the importance of linking fisherfolk to existing, yet often underutilized, support systems.

The multi-module training equipped participants to reimagine themselves, not just as producers of the sea and land, but as business-minded aquapreneurs. It began by cultivating the right mindset, with sessions on Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PECs) anchored in Filipino values like sipag at tiyaga, palabra de honor, praktikalidad, and lakas ng loob. They learned how to identify viable livelihood options based on local conditions, resource availability, and market demand.

Using tools like the Farm Business Cycle and Business Model Canvas, they discovered how to diagnose their situation, plan strategically, and organize their ideas into sustainable enterprise models. The fictional story of “Mang Juan” served as a turning point for many, illustrating how smart choices and risk-taking could turn modest ventures into profitable livelihoods.

Participants explored key areas including fisheries marketing, business monitoring, and access to government support. From understanding the 4Ps (Product, Price, Place, and Promotion) of marketing to using digital tools like Facebook for direct selling, fisherfolk were shown how to add value to their products and connect with customers more effectively. They learned the importance of monitoring farm operations (keeping feeding logs, tracking fish growth, analyzing profits) and were introduced to various government programs offering financial aid, insurance, and market access. Above all, the training reinforced a powerful message: with the right knowledge, tools, and support, they can thrive not just as laborers, but as visionary, capable aquapreneurs.

Also present were Myleen Mangistrado and Frederick Muyot, both Senior Science Research Specialists at the Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Center (FFRDC). Mangistrado welcomed the participants, setting the tone for an engaging and empowering learning experience, while Muyot introduced the core concept of “aquapreneurs” and emphasized its three key pillars: sustainable practices, entrepreneurial innovation, and the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit.

Adding a personal touch to the training, participant Nilo Cabantac shared how his once modest farm earned DA-ATI recognition and became an accredited demo-farm school. Fellow participants Shirley Dalagan, Liezel Ann Nicart, and Benita Maldepeña also expressed their gratitude to the speakers and NFRDI team.

Closing the program, Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos, NFRDI Scientist V and chief of the Training Division, thanked all contributors and highlighted the value of collaboration in empowering fisherfolk and advancing aquapreneurship. ### (Charles Ray Tolentino and Marie Antonette Lorenzana)