MAFAR launches aqua base business school associations

COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform has launched the “Aqua Base Business School” cluster to introduce fisherfolk to business investment.

Minister Mohammad S. Yacob Ph. D, said in a statement Thursday, Dec. 23, that “ABS Business Launching Cluster” is aimed to establish a strong direct link between the producers and the sellers of fish commodities and provide additional supply at an affordable price in business centers in Cotabato City and outside.

The project was launched in collaboration with the Fisherfolk Cooperative of Maguindanao and Basilan province and FishCORAL.

Yacob said the end of the MAFAR-BARMM FishCORAL program should not be a concern, and the agency will continue to support the fisherfolk and budding fish farmers in the region.

Director-General for fisheries services Pendatun Patarasa said the project’s goal is to contribute to the reduction of poverty incidence in the coastal communities of the 11 target bays.

Patarasa said they assisted Sambolawan Sultan Kudarat Fisherfolk Association, Maguindanao Mangrove Crab Cluster, and Kabuhian Pagtabangan Association.

Patarasa further said the program also accompanied the display of products of the associations introduced in the activity.

Aqua-based Business School is a participatory action learning process that emphasizes the participation of fisherfolk groups in agriculture and aqua-based value chain.

ABS aspires to a more profitable, equitable, and pro-poor farm business environment through market-oriented, gender-responsive, climate smart innovations.