Several government agencies led by the Department of Science and Technology banded together in a forum to enhance entrepreneurial skills of women in micro, small, and medium enterprises at the Central Visayas Multi-species Nursery Demonstration and Training Center in Bentig, Calape, Bohol.
The forum was titled “Fisheries Women Entrepreneurs Forum: Developing the Entrepreneurial Skills of SMEs for Enhanced Export Market of Fresh and Dried Seaweeds.”
The Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division of the DOST’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, the National Network on Women in Fisheries in the Philippines Inc. or WINFISH, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office 7, and BFAR Central Office teamed up for the event.
It was the second in a series of fora for women entrepreneurs in the fisheries industry held throughout the country. Previously, women entrepreneurs in Pampanga were trained on the export of live and frozen shrimp and shrimp products at the EPHATHA Development Center, SACOP, Maimpis in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The forum became a venue for industry representatives from Regions 6, 7, and 8 to share their personal experiences and successes on the production and marketing of fresh and dried seaweeds.
Areas of concern and science and technology intervention needs for the development and improvement of seaweeds per region were discussed during the workshop.
Challenges in the industry, which include unstable prices due to supply and demand, absence of price standardization, DTI registration, lack of facilities and equipment, quality of products, market, and packaging and labeling, were identified.
A Memorandum of Understanding between an exporter and five processors was signed at the end of the forum.
A total of 75 participants attended the two-day event, consisting of representatives from IARRD-PCAARRD, WINFISH officials and staff, BFAR 7 (Cebu) Gender and Development (GAD) and Secretariat, BFAR CO in Quezon City staff, BFAR 6 (Iloilo) and 8 (Tacloban) officials and staff, and exporters or processors of seaweeds from Regions 6 to 8.
Dr. Dalisay DG. Fernandez, IARRD-PCAARRD director, was the proponent of the project funded by the BFAR Central Office.