MAGUINDANAO — Last January 31, 2018, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program-Maguindanao team distributed five-hundred-fifty (550) heads of mallard ducks and one hundred (100) 200-kg bags of feeds which includes fifty (50) bags of pre-layer and fifty (50) bags of pre-pallet, for the twenty-five (25) beneficiaries  from Barangay Talitay, Municipality of  Buluan, Maguindanao.

The interventions are part of SAAD Maguindanao’s Integrated Sustainable Livelihood Assistance for Maguindanao (ISLAM) Project 2017, wherein each farmer-beneficiary receives twenty-two (22) mallard ducks – twenty (20) female and two (2) male – and four (4) bags of laying pellet feed.

The distribution was attended by Municipal Agriculturist Nasino O. Umbi, and representatives from the Office of Provincial Agriculturist, Municipal Agriculture Office, MLGU, and BLGU.

During the orientation, Mr. Umbi emphasized the value of the project that gives to the farmers. He said that: “We had been given the package to start our own business that will somehow sustain our daily lives. In return, we must prove to them that we are worthy and deserving to receive it.”  He also gave the assurance of full support from LGU of Buluan and MAO.

The two beneficiaries who attended the exposure trainings last January 30, 2018 shared their learnings and how they were inspired by the story of Mrs. Umani who started with only 300 ducks and was able to produce 15,000 eggs every 3 days.

All twenty-five (25) farmers decided to put the five hundred fifty (550) ducks in one place so they can save time and closely monitor their project.   The DA Regional Field Office-12 promised to give them one (1) incubator for the sustainability of the project and for them to succeed.  ###

Writer: Jemiema Arro, SAAD Communications Officer