In a significant move to enhance the sustainability of fishing and aquaculture in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Japanese government has committed a grant of USD4.7 million, equivalent to around PHP273 million. This initiative, set to commence in April and span two years, aims to support approximately 4,000 small-scale aqua farmers and fishers in the region. The project, titled ‘The Project for the Development of Sustainable Fishery Value Chains in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,’ was officially launched with a signing ceremony in Mandaluyong City on February 4, 2025, attended by Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya and Lionel Dabbadie, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative in the Philippines.
Ambassador Endo emphasized Japan’s ongoing commitment to the peace process in Mindanao, highlighting the importance of the fisheries sector in BARMM for employment and income generation among small fisherfolk. He stressed the sector’s role in food security, economic growth, and the sustainability of marine ecosystems, describing the empowerment of fisherfolk as a strategic investment in the region’s future.
The BARMM Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) has identified several challenges facing the fisheries sector, including high post-harvest losses, declining production, underutilization of local waters for sustainable fisheries, and a high poverty rate of 30.6 percent. The project aims to address these issues by aligning with MAFAR’s strategic directions, focusing on capacity-building and the adoption of science-based aquaculture practices.
The FAO will implement its ‘Blue Transformation’ approach under this project, which seeks to meet the increasing demand for aquatic food while minimizing the environmental impact of aquaculture through sustainable intensification. This approach is expected to enhance food production efficiency and profitability within aquatic food value chains. Key objectives include strengthening capacities at both farmer group and government levels, assessing and improving capture harvest potential, reducing post-harvest losses, and enhancing aquatic biosecurity, fish health, food safety, and halal compliance.