From Tradition to Global Markets: MINSUPALA-IRDC Concludes Day 2 of Indigenous Product Training-Workshop

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur — April 22, 2026 — The second day of the MINSUPALA-IRDC Phase 3 Training-Workshop centered on a transformative vision: transitioning local indigenous resources from traditional staples into globally certified commercial products.

Held at the Sindaw Lake View Hotel and hosted by Prof. Sherifa Ainee Kadil, the day's sessions provided a roadmap for participants to adopt science-based, high-yield operations.

The morning session focused on the commercial potential of Tilapia, tracing its history in the Philippines back to 1950. In a comprehensive presentation titled "Grow-Out Culture of Sex Reverse Tilapia," Sir Victor R. Navarro, MSc., an Associate Professor and faculty researcher from Mindanao State University (MSU) at Naawan, detailed the strategic importance of tilapia farming for regional food security and economic development. Lecturer Navarro highlighted how technological breakthroughs, such as genetically improved strains (GIFT) and salt-tolerant varieties, have turned the species into a global commodity.

Beyond its economic value, the "superfish" was noted for its operational hardiness and its critical role in addressing malnutrition across the Philippines. The session empowered three primary sectors: small-scale farmers seeking home-based income, commercial enterprises, and rural communities benefiting from increased employment.

In the afternoon, Dr. Rasdi Macalangcom Casim delivered a keynote lecture via a virtual platform from Malaysia, titled "Product Development and Commercialization of Indigenous Resources". Dr. Casim introduced a rigorous seven-step scientific framework designed to ensure the safety and efficacy of indigenous products through the following, to enumerate: 1.) Standard Cultivation: Utilizing DNA barcoding and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for traceability; 2.) Comprehensive Characterization: Establishing scientific identities through nutritional profiling; and 3.) Regulatory Compliance: Providing a "Reasonable Certainty of No Harm" to international consumers.

Dr. Casim emphasized a "glocal" outlook, urging local government units to support SMEs in achieving global standards while maintaining local roots. He noted that integrating modern technology like blockchain and peer-reviewed publications could position the region as a major player in the international wellness market.

On the other hand, researchers from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) introduced a potential ecological game-changer: the Innovative Biomass Composter (IBC). Designed for "waste to wealth" efficiency, the IBC uses a specialized "mother-starter microbiome" to decompose organic matter rapidly and without odor.

The project aims to align with Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by turning organic waste into revenue-generating assets, leading Mindanao’s transition toward a circular economy.

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