The Department of Agriculture – National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), through its Fisheries Postharvest Research and Development Division (FPHRDD), conducted a three-day training-workshop to enhance researchers’ skills in processing, analyzing, and presenting Value Chain Analysis (VCA) data.
Held on May 12–14, 2026 at NFRDI Conference Room, the activity forms part of the ongoing VCA project under the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FISHCORE) Project, which aims to analyze the value chains of high-value, economically important, and managed stock species across Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs) 6 and 9.
The training was facilitated by Asst. Prof. Paul Joseph Ramirez of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, who served as the resource speaker and provided participants with an in-depth discussion of VCA principles and applications.
Sessions covered key topics such as VCA concepts and frameworks, report preparation, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, commodity market mapping, comparative analysis among value chain actors, and strategies for strengthening VCA reports.
Dr. Ulysses Montojo, Scientist I and chief of FPHRDD highlighted the significance of the activity in further capacitating young researchers and strengthening their technical competencies in value chain research.
Meanwhile, NFRDI Executive Director Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia delivered an inspirational message and expressed her appreciation to Prof. Ramirez for sharing his expertise with the participants. She emphasized that the VCA project is among the priority initiatives under FISHCORE, as it seeks to identify constraints within fisheries value chains and develop actionable strategies to enhance the economic value of fisheries and aquaculture for fishing communities.
Through this initiative, NFRDI continues to strengthen research capacities and support evidence-based interventions that contribute to sustainable fisheries development and improved livelihoods in coastal communities. ### (EJ Joy Villamor)