TUBOD, Lanao del Norte- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region – 10 (BFAR-10), through its Provincial Program Management Support Office (PPMSO) in Lanao del Norte (LDN), recently conducted training session on leadership and development training for the eight fisherfolk groups under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase II. 

The training brought together eight fisherfolk groups, namely: the Linamon Farmer’s and Fisherfolk Agriculture Cooperative (LiFFACo) in Linamon, Tangcal Farmers and Fisherfolk Agriculture Cooperative (TFFAC) in Tangcal, Dalama Munai Alliance Agriculture Cooperative (DMAAC) in Munai, Inagongan Agri-Fisheries Association (InAFA) in Tagoloan, Magsaysay Farmer’s and Fisherfolk Cooperative (MaFFCo) in Magsaysay, Matungao Integrated Farmer’s Cooperative (MIFC) in Matungao, Ragonan Farmer’s and Fisherfolk Agriculture Cooperative (RFFAC) in Baloi, and Linindingan Tilapia Grower Farmer’s Association (LiTiGFA) in Poona Piagapo, Lanao del Norte.

To strengthen their leadership and organizational skills, the groups underwent a series of lectures and interactive activities facilitated by PPMSO-LDN and led by Cooperative Development Specialists (CDS) Nadrah K. Sharief and Nashiba Banto from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). The sessions provided expert guidance on cooperative management, organizational governance, strategic planning, and overall organizational development.

Through these sessions, participants were equipped with a clear understanding of the key principles of effective leadership, decision-making, and collaborative teamwork within a cooperative framework. Practical exercises and hands-on activities were undertaken to help them develop essential skills in conflict resolution, project planning, financial management, and fostering a spirit of collaboration to strengthen their respective fisherfolk organizations.

The training also emphasized the importance of good governance, accountability, and sustainability, empowering fisherfolk to make informed decisions, improve operational efficiency, and ensure the long-term success and growth of their livelihood initiatives.

Moreover, the session was also supported and attended by the Municipal Agriculturists (MAs) and Agricultural Technicians (ATs) from the various municipalities under the SAAD Program. Their involvement ensured that participants not only gained theoretical knowledge but also received practical, context-specific guidance that could be applied directly to their own livelihood projects and cooperative operations.

This initiative exemplifies BFAR’s holistic approach to strengthening the capacity and empowering small-scale fisherfolk and fish farmer communities, providing support that goes beyond physical resources and technical assistance to foster human capital, build resilience, and cultivate sustainable fisheries communities by investing in both skills and knowledge, ultimately contributing to long-term community development and food security across Lanao del Norte.