GEF-CFI Indonesia, in collaboration with Ambon BP3, organized a Training of Trainers (ToT) for Women Fisher Champions on Food Processing at Laha Dive Packer, Laha Village, Ambon City. The three-day training (August 6–8, 2025) was attended by 16 participants, consisting of 15 members of the Mahina Ecoprint group and one representative from BP3 Ambon.

The Training of Trainers (ToT) program for Women Fishers Champions on Food Processing held at Laha Dive Packer, Laha Village, Ambon City, on August 6–8, 2025

The training featured three instructors from Ambon BP3 who guided participants in processing various tuna-based products, such as fish crackers, tuna nuggets, liquid-smoked tuna, and tuna jerky. The purpose of this activity was to provide additional skills for the Mahina Ecoprint group, which had previously succeeded in developing an ecoprint business, so they could now explore alternative business opportunities based on marine products.

The program was officially opened by Faridatun Amalia Hasanah, Safeguard and Gender Specialist of CFI Indonesia, together with the Village Head (Raja) of Negeri Laha. In her remarks, Faridatun emphasized the importance of business diversification for women fishers.

“The Mahina Ecoprint group has proven that women can build competitive businesses from local potential. Now, with the additional skills in processing marine products, we hope there will be alternative business opportunities that strengthen household economic resilience. Diversification is important so that the group does not depend on a single income source, while also being able to meet market needs with more innovative products,” she said.

The support from the Laha Village Government and Ambon BP3 helps strengthen the capacity of women fishers in developing Blue Food Products (August 6–8, 2025)

The Negeri Laha Raja also expressed his appreciation for the holding of this event in his region.

“We are very grateful that the women of Laha Village were given the opportunity to learn new skills. Our hope is that this knowledge will not only be training, but also be applied into practice to strengthen family businesses and improve community welfare,” he said.

In addition to hands-on sessions in processing products, the event also featured experience sharing from Women Fisher Champions from Ohoi Watkidat, Ohoi Dertawun, Eastern Seram, and Kaimana. They shared their journeys before and after receiving project mentoring, from learning to process marine products to marketing them. Some had even successfully partnered with modern retailers. For example, the group from Ohoi Dertawun is now able to host interns in their production unit, demonstrating that their business is growing more professional.

Through CFI Indonesia, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) supports the national Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program based on blue food in Laha Village, Ambon City (August 8, 2025)

On the final day, participants visited SD Negeri 1 Al Hilal Laha to distribute their processed food products to around 50 children and teachers. This activity was part of the project’s support for the national Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program based on blue food launched by the President of Indonesia, and served as a direct intervention to help accelerate stunting reduction. This moment was special because it was the first time the school had received the MBG program, as it was also the first time the project had facilitated a similar initiative.

It is hoped that this activity can serve as an initial step for replication in other project areas in the future.

CFI Indonesia Champions, together with 50 students and teachers of Al Hilal Laha Elementary School, carried out the Fish Consumption Campaign and Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program to prevent stunting in Laha Village, Ambon City (August 8, 2025).

Representing the project, CFI Indonesia’s Knowledge Management Specialist, Ahadar Tuhuteru, attended and highlighted the importance of linking women fishers’ capacity building with improving youth nutrition.

“This training is not just about fish processing, but also about the real contribution of women’s groups in building healthy and resilient coastal generations,” he stressed.

This initiative shows that empowering women fishers not only produces economically valuable products but also creates wide social impact. It contributes to national strategic issues such as food security, household economic resilience, sustainable coastal development, and improved nutrition for school children.

Looking ahead, this model has strong potential to be replicated in other project areas as a good practice for strengthening gender equality, blue economy, and community-based food security.