NFRDI trains staff for ABS-TBI coffee table book development

The Department of Agriculture–National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA–NFRDI) strengthened the storytelling and visual documentation capacity of its staff through a four-day seminar-workshop on photography and content writing, held on March 24–27, 2026, at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources–National Freshwater Technology Center (BFAR–NFTC) in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, as part of preparations for the ABS-TBI Coffee Table Book.

The activity gathered technical personnel from various NFRDI divisions and research centers involved in the AquaBiz Schools – Technology Business Incubation (ABS-TBI) program, particularly those engaged in documenting field-level implementation and beneficiary stories.

Rita dela Cruz, Training Division assistant chief, served as the resource speaker for both content writing and photography sessions.

The writing sessions focused on crafting success stories from the field, including identifying key story elements, conducting interviews with beneficiaries, and presenting technical information in a clear and accessible manner.

Complementing this, the photography sessions emphasized visual storytelling, where participants were trained to capture meaningful images that support their narratives. Outputs were presented and discussed to further enhance participants’ skills.

In her welcome remarks, BFAR-NFRC Chief Dr. Ma. Jodecel Danting underscored that the coffee table book goes beyond documentation and serves as a platform to connect science with people. “Through crafting a coffee table book, you aim to create a compelling, visually engaging narrative that not only informs but also inspires. Your contributions today will be instrumental in creating a material that reflects both scientific excellence and success stories,” she said.

Meanwhile, NFRDI Executive Director Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia in her keynote address highlighted that the initiative has long been envisioned as part of efforts to better communicate NFRDI’s work. “This has been a long dream of mine, to have a coffee table book for NFRDI, and I am happy that finally, with the help of all our centers and divisions, this will begin and be realized,” she said.

The ABS-TBI Coffee Table Book is expected to document the success stories of aquapreneurs and partners who have adopted NFRDI-supported technologies and business models, providing a clearer picture of how research translates into livelihood opportunities.

Through the seminar-workshop, NFRDI continues to strengthen its efforts to document and communicate its initiatives under the ABS-TBI program, ensuring that lessons from the field are effectively captured to support wider adoption of fisheries technologies and practices.

In his closing message, ABS-TBI Assistant Program Leader Dr. Joseph Christopher Rayos emphasized the broader value of the initiative. “Through the coffee table book, we will be able to highlight the success of our incubatees and at the same time, be able to preserve the legacy of the ABS-TBI program,” he said.