SURIGAO DEL SUR, May 6, 2021 — Thirty-one farmers in Bayabas ventured into native chicken and peanut production projects funded under Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 through the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program.

In a turnover ceremony held at Manliguez Coconut Farm, Sitio Cagbuaya in Balete, the Balete Chicken Growers’ Association (BACGA) received Php 442,250 worth of inputs for the chicken production project consisting of poultry crates, egg trays, weighing scale, drugs, and biologics.

They also received an additional Php 140,000 worth of peanut production package which includes the following inputs: 35 bags of peanut seeds (20kg/bag) good for 5 hectares, complete fertilizer, nets, a water plastic drum, and a water hose.

Bayabas Mayor Maria Clarita Limbaro encouraged BACGA to sustain their poultry, which serves as a helpful undertaking, especially with the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ang Bayabasnon kugihan, maong padayon sa inyong pag paningkamot. Kining project dakong tabang labi na karong pandemya,” said Mayor Limbaro. [Bayabas locals are hardworking, so I encourage you to persevere. This project is already a big help, especially with the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic.]

Mayor Limbaro also commended the “complete package” mechanism of the DA-SAAD Program. True to its promise, the DA-SAAD Program continues its support as its beneficiaries’ transition to entrepreneurship.

According to Surigao del Sur Provincial Agriculturist Marcos M. Quico, livelihood projects such as the SAAD-funded poultry production serve as launchpads of agri-preneurs.

“The true measure of successful interventions is a noticeable change in the lives of its members,” said Mr. Quico, challenging all BACGA members to expand their entrepreneurial endeavors and to kick off individual businesses as soon as they can.

Also present during the turnover ceremony were SAAD Deputy Focal Person Jekem D. Sanchez, representing Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo, and Municipal Agriculturist Geralyn B. Guibao.

BACGA

BACGA hails from Barangay Balete in Bayabas, a 5th-class municipality in Surigao del Sur. Fishing and rice farming are the primary agricultural activities in the area.

Assembled in 2019, the women-led BACGA has since received Php 1.7 million worth agricultural inputs under FYs 2019-2020 budget.

With the establishment of the three poultry houses with 490 upgraded native chickens, BACGA members now have an additional livelihood, which is the first of its kind in the locale.

In May 2020, BACGA started selling eggs in their community. By August the same year, the association solidified its start-up enterprise by selling chicks to nearby municipalities.

Eleven months into the business, BACGA reported accumulated earnings of Php 101,940 from eggs and chick sales.

BACGA President Nenita Dalayan committed to sustaining their livelihood as they become established agripreneurs. According to Nenita, “Aduna nay kalambuan sa income sa BACGA. Mas ganado na ang akong mga membro kay regular naman among income. Padayon among pag paningkamot.” [We have observed some progress in terms of our sales. This encourages us to persevere more.] ###

Writer: Mark Angelo Pineda, Information Officer- DA-SAAD Caraga

Copy-editor: Natalianne Marie O. Delos Reyes, PR and Comms Officer, SAAD NPMO