BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION

 

Please see our document here.

Hi, my name is Mary Grace Silverio and I am the founder of Tambanokano Aqua Farm. Our mantra is Developing Livelihood Through Sustainable Mudcrab Production from Farm to Table. We envision creating a sustainable future for coastal communities by revolutionizing the aquaculture industry with our innovative crab modular system. We foster environmental sustainability while empowering local economies. 

Through our modular aquaculture technology we are able to sustainably and humanely raise export quality mud crabs to our international exporter and local restaurants.

‘Crab in a Box’ is a subscription ready to eat gourmet box with a kilo of salt-baked crabs with Cajun and garlic-chili sauces. For those wanting a taste of the sea in every dish, our Taba ng Alimango Paste adds rich umami to any recipe. These products aren’t just delicious; they’re a lifeline to our fishery community partners.

Through our modular system, we preserve wild crab populations and our value-added products, we help coastal families earn more from each harvest.

Our business model innovation combines an eco-friendly crab aquaculture modular system with a franchising model which benefits our community beneficiaries and our customers.  Here’s how it works: We operate our own modular aquaculture facility and partners with NGOs and local franchisors, providing training and resources to operate the system. We then buy the entire harvest from NGOs and franchisors. 2/3 goes to high-end exporters and restaurants, fetching premium prices, while 1/3 is sold to gourmet crab enthusiasts. Franchisors pay the franchise fees, royalties, advertising fees from us, including the inventories and supplies then keep 100% of their profits. NGO profits are split: 40% to Tambanokano, 40% to NGOs, 18% to fishermen, and 2% as a seed fund for fishermen’s families to start crab paste businesses. It’s a win-win-win: NGOs achieve their mission to help the fishermen, franchisors grow their business, and communities gain sustainable livelihoods.

Our high value products benefit exporters and the food industry because our system ensures fatter and tender live crabs. We also offer products for individual consumers, Crab-in-a-box saves our customers time through our easy to prepare meal. Our Taba ng Alimango Paste  gives the rich umami flavor to any recipe.

We support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through the crab modular system, we aim to address SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), aiming to increase sustainable aquaculture by 10% in our region, directly supporting food security while reducing pressure on wild crab populations. We also champion SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), offering 100 families stable, above-minimum-wage jobs by 2027.

In our first year, we raised 400,000 pesos in net revenue, creating 4 new jobs and boosting fishermen’s incomes by 114%. Previously, fishermen earned ₱700 per day, only when they had a successful catch, which occurred on an average of twice a week earning a monthly income of ₱5,600 per fisherman. Now, they earn a steady ₱500 daily wage, working six days a week, doubling their monthly income to ₱12,000. We aim to expand and replicate our system in different communities in the region. 

Our competitive edge is our tangible Impact. In a world where ‘eco-friendly’ is often just a buzzword, we stand out as the real deal. Our innovative crab modular system truly resonates with environmentally conscious consumers. These consumers are willing to pay a premium because they understand that each purchase directly supports a family in need. Our commitment to sustainability and community empowerment isn’t just a marketing tactic; it’s the core of our business model. This authenticity not only differentiates us from competitors but also builds trust and loyalty among our customers, who feel a personal connection to the positive change their purchases create.

Take Ivan, for instance. Two years ago, he was a statistic—one of many teens who drop out to support their families. Today, thanks to our project’s success in his village, he’s back in school. Ivan just completed grade 11 because his father was able to get a job on our crab farm. His story turns each crab box into a symbol of educational empowerment.

We also address gender disparities. With the help of NGOs, we use the 2% seed fund to build cooperatives for women to create and sell crab paste, with 100% of earnings going directly to them. Ten women have already joined, each with a unique family story.

At the core of our feasibility lies one powerful truth – we don’t do it alone. Our crab modular project thrives on strategic partnerships that enhance every aspect of our operations.

Diverse expertise underpins it all. Kuya Boyong is our partner with 35 years of aquaculture mastery, guiding the biological design of our crab modules. My 15 years in digital marketing ensure we amplify our impact stories effectively. And Jeremy Salomon, our export consultant with 8 years at PhilExport as a director and part of the International Trade Center, spearheads our global distribution channels.

Let’s start with our NGO collaborators – they’re our grassroots ambassadors. Batang Muntinlupa, Lingkod Muntinlupa, and NGOs for Fisherfolks. Their deep local ties ensure a smooth entry for our crab modules and wide acceptance among fisherfolk.

With such an experienced core team and roster of partners, we’re emboldened to dream big. That’s why we’re engaging SBMA, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, to be partners in their upcoming first carbon-neutral eco-community. If secured, this project would open new markets while certifying our ESG leadership.

On June 1, 2024 we launched the ‘Change a Life, One Crab Module System at a Time’ campaign to raise the 100,000 pesos needed to build the facility and help 2 more families. Each backer could virtually adopt and track an individual crab modules – its occupants, water quality, even the families supported. This personal connection was pure magic. At the time of video recording, we are also showcasing the campaign at the Department of Agriculture, telling Ivan’s story – how one modular system funded his journey back to school.  

As we speak with the people who join the Department of Agriculture booth such as industry insiders to social media influencers to eco-champions, our crowdsourcing tapped into a simple truth: people want to be part of the solution. And we gave them an innovative, tangible way to join the change.

Beyond operational lessons, our biggest learning has been about the transformative power of a social business model itself.

Initially, we struggled to achieve a sustainable financial model. Our pilot focused solely on live crab exports to generate revenue. But this city-centric approach limited our economic and social impact in coastal areas.

It was the very ethos of social entrepreneurship that sparked our pivotal pivot. We realized profit couldn’t be our sole driver; it had to be balanced with grassroots empowerment and environmental renewal.

That revelation bred our innovative profit-sharing system, keeping 80% of earnings in rural communities via NGO partnerships. It inspired value-added products like Taba ng Alimango Paste to create village-level microenterprises.

Embracing this blended value model didn’t just make us more impactful; it made us more inventive and resilient as a business. By keeping communities at the core, we unlocked new revenue streams precisely tuned to their needs and skills.

The learning? A laser-focus on doing good isn’t at odds with doing well; it’s a catalyst for discovering untapped opportunities hiding in plain sight. Our social mission didn’t restrict our business model; it continually reshaped it into something more equitable, more sustainable, more profitable.

 

Tambanokano Aqua Farm is not just about crabs – it’s about transforming lives and building a brighter future for coastal communities. Through our innovative approach, strategic partnerships, and unwavering commitment to our mission, we are confident that we can make a lasting and meaningful impact on the world.

We invite you to join us on this journey of sustainability and social impact. Help us turn our vision into reality. Together, let’s change lives, one crab module at a time.