ENTREFISH GAME

The Entrefish Game is a training tool for helping fisherfolk become enterprising. The game has been inspired by the CEFE* philosophy of experience as the best teacher. Using simulated events, the training room is transformed into a microcosm of the real fishing world. The technique enables the participants to discover for themselves the value of proactive life paradigms.

The game can be used to confront fisherfolk with the following realities:

• Among many uneducated fisherfolk, daily life is determined by earning and spending. Catch, money and time are not planned nor budgeted. Habits and traditional obligations may thus need adjustment vis a vis requirements of a cash economy.
• Despite some degree of education, which may allow fisherfolk some awareness of implications of their activities, many do not act accordingly and/or do not sufficiently translate their knowledge into monetary/commercial terms.

Objectives:

The course enables farmers to learn about the implications of:

• Planning and budgeting money and time
• Planning use of capital for conflicting demands
• Maintaining a positive cash flow
• Keeping records & managing finances
• Negotiating with buyers, suppliers and neighbors
• Dealing with middlemen
• Networking
• Taking initiative in life

Course Description

Participants are divided into eight groups: 6 fishing groups and 2 fish dealers. Each fishing group represents a family of 4 members - father, mother and two children.

Families decide when, how and where to fish, what fishing equipment to buy and who to sell fish catch to. Outcomes are affected by life events ("Dagok ng Buhay" are drawn from a deck of lifecards) as well as weather and fishing conditions (determined on basis of probabilities). Personal and business expenses are paid in cash; loans are available from the bank or from neighbors at any time. Incomes can be improved if participants plan on the basis of information, for which they have to spend additionally.

Two basic modules can be played. The first module deals with basic fishing activities, and the second module offers opportunities for processing fish catch. The game allows fisherfolk to earn money easily (if they exhibit even minimum enterprising abilities) so that they have enough funds to capitalize growth. This is designed to elicit insights as to why they have not been as successful in real life. Conclusions often include their lack of life vision and lack of sufficient savings.

Module 1: Entrepreneurial Fishing

Objectives

By the end of module 1, the participants will be able to:

• Recognize how fishing can become a viable, sustainable business enterprise for poor fisherfolk.
• Explain the business cycle as applied to the fishing business.
• Develop their personal entrepreneurial competencies.
• Practice proper allocation of funds for business and personal expenses.
• Analyze the importance of maintaining positive cash flow.
• Realize the importance of keeping accurate financial records.
• Practice effective negotiation skills to obtain a good price for fish products.
• Explain how supply and demand affect the price of fish products.
• To appreciate the value of investing in science and technology to improve the performance of their fishing business.
• Realize the importance of organizing a fisherfolk's cooperative.
• To appreciate the value of life planning.
• To appreciate the concept of sustainable development in fishing.
• To analyze the dangers of unethical practices in the fishing industry.

Module 2: Fish-processing Business

Objectives

By the end of module 2, the participants will be able to:

• Analyze the potentials of establishing a processing business using the fish catch as main raw materials.
• Analyze the importance of keeping accurate financial records.
• Formulate strategies to adapt to price fluctuations in the market.
• Practice effective negotiation skills to obtain a good price for processed fish products.
• Realize the importance of adding value to one's products.

More Info @ PFP Website