A forum to enhance entrepreneurial skills of women in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) was recently held at the Central Visayas Multi-species Nursery Demonstration and Training Center (CVMNDTC) in Bentig, Calape, Bohol.
The forum, which had the title, Fisheries Women Entrepreneurs Forum: Developing the Entrepreneurial Skills of SMEs for Enhanced Export Market of Fresh and Dried Seaweeds, was held with the collaboration of the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division (IARRD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), National Network on Women in Fisheries in the Philippines, Inc. (WINFISH), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Office 7, and BFAR Central Office (CO).
The forum was 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, 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 (S&T) intervention needs for the development and/or 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 labelling, 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/staff, and exporters/processors of seaweeds from regions 6-8.
Dr. Dalisay DG. Fernandez, IARRD-PCAARRD Director, was the proponent of the project, which was funded by the BFAR Central Office.