Mindanao’s Aqua and Fisheries Modernization Program takes off next month with the staging of the first stakeholders summit in Mati City, Davao Oriental on Aug. 27.
The Summit, organized by the Davao Oriental Provincial Government and supported by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), will be the first to be staged by a province identified as a major fish production area in Mindanao.
MinDA has earlier crafted the Mindanao Aqua-Fisheries Development Program (MAFDEV) to maximize productivity in the fisheries sector of the region, reduce poverty and propel Mindanao’s economic recovery post-COVID 19.
The program is one of the priority projects submitted by MinDA to the European Union Delegation for inclusion in the P2.1-B Mindanao Peace and Development (MINPAD) Rise Mindanao Grant Fund.
The MAFDEV aims to implement the following activities in the selected fish production provinces of Mindanao:
1. Organize and empower aqua and fisheries stakeholders;
2. Establish Fish Processing Complexes, including ice flakes and blocks-making equipment, blast freezing machinery, cold storage and processing facilities such as fish drying equipment.
3. Establish a digital platform to determine the supply and demand situation for aqua and fisheries products in Mindanao;
4. Establish domestic and foreign market linkages to ensure profitability for the stakeholders.
Davao Oriental is one of the aqua and fish producing provinces of Mindanao identified for inclusion in the MAFDEV.
Other areas identified are provinces facing the Davao Gulf, Pacific Ocean, Visayan Sea, Panguil Bay, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, Moro Gulf/Illana Bay and Saranggani Bay.
Also included are the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawitawi, Camiguin and Dinagat.
Beneficiaries of the program will also include fish pond and fish cage operators in the different coastal areas and coves of Mindanao.
Other government agencies like the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Philippine Fishports Development Authority, both under the Department of Agriculture and the SouthEast Asia Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) will be engaged.
Public and private academic institutions will also be asked to support the program, especially in the social preparation and financial capability training of the organized aqua and fisheries stakeholders.
With the recent approval of the EU Delegation Grant Fund for Mindanao by the Department of Finance, MAFDEV is expected to be implemented before the end of the year.
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#AgricultureIsCommonSense!
#profittriggersproductivity!
#touchgroundfeelthepulse!
(These photos of the dried fish produced in Davao Oriental, including the fish market, were taken by the MinDA Media Team during a trip to Mati City last year before the COVID 19 Pandemic which is why people don’t wear masks.)
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