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1st Int. Transborder Conf. of the Timor Island: Timor %u2013 Science without borderDili, 7-8 May 202544Development of Training Strategy of Catfish Nugget Production for Village-Owned Enterprise Managers in South Central Timor RegencyAmor T. Karyawti1, Dodi Darmakusuma1,2,*, Luther Kadang1, Antonius R.B. Ola1, Suwari1, Yosefa C. B. Dje2, Yollviana Bekak2, Petrus D. Neto2and Abdullah Mutis31Fakultas Sains dan Tehnik, Universitas Nusa Cendana,Indonesia, 2UPT Laboratorium Terpadu %u2013 UNDANA, Kupang, Indonesia,3Yayasan Tafena Munif Kuan, Soe, Indonesia*Corresponding author: dodidarmakusuma@gmail.comAbstractCatfish aquaculture presents a promising avenue for economic development among Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) in South Central Timor Regency. However, limited post-harvest processing skills%u2014particularly in the development of value-added products such as catfish nuggets%u2014have constrained its economic potential. This study aims to formulate an effective, context-appropriate training strategy to enhance BUMDes managerial capacity in the production, packaging, and marketing of catfish nuggets. A literature review was conducted, supplemented by field data from a community service initiative in collaboration with the Tafena Munif Kuan Foundation. The study synthesizes relevant models of vocational training, food processing, and rural entrepreneurship. Key components identified include modular and experiential learning, phased capacity building, institutional collaboration, and continuous mentoring. Practical training sessions significantly improved participants' competencies in hygienic processing, packaging aesthetics, and product quality. Findings indicate that a participatory, locally rooted training model is effective in empowering rural communities to generate added value from indigenous aquaculture resources. This model offers potential for replication in other regions as a strategy for advancing sustainable rural agroindustry.Keywords: catfish nuggets, training strategy, BUMDes, rural agroindustry, community empowerment, food processing, South Central Timor