DAVAO DE ORO, November 8, 2021 – Five farmers’ associations (FAs) in various far-flung areas of Davao de Oro received incubators from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program to support balut and chicken production.

In a bid to bolster the groups’ enterprising efforts, the incubators worth Php 42,264 each will improve egg-hatching.

Each incubator consists of a two-door setter and hatcher, fully automatic, with a temperature controller and preset humidifier. Both setter and hatcher can accommodate up to 270 eggs and chicks.

Among the recipients were two FAs from Laak and one each from the municipalities of Nabunturan, Mabini, and Pantukan. All were identified as End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) areas.

“Dako kaayo ni nga kalamboan sa amoang barangay…padaghanon sa namo ang manok luyo sa kakulian, among paningkamotan nga muuswag,” Longanapan Farmers Association chairperson Filomeno Bibar said.

“This (pertaining to the incubator) is an improvement to our barangay as a whole…despite challenges, we’ll strive to increase the numbers of our existing chickens for the project to prosper.”

Longanapan FA (LOFA), Dalimdim FA, and Lawaan Kingking FA were granted upgraded chickens earlier this year. Each received 240 birds (210 pullets, 30 cockerels), alongside feeds and various biologics under the FY 2021 Upgraded Native Chicken Production Project with a total project cost of Php 2.8M.

Brgy. Bayabas FA (Nabunturan), on the other hand, was given 135 mallard ducks with similar components to the upgraded chicken project under FY 2021 Mallard Duck Production Project costing a little more than Php 5.4M. Meanwhile, Asosasyon Sa Mga Organikong Mag-uuma sa Sitio Bunglas (Mabini) receive mallard ducks to support its existing organic chicken venture.

Brgy. Bayabas FA chairperson Delfin Lorenzana said, “Plano namo nga makapapusa, makadispose ug makabaligyag balut para makaincome na amoang asosasyon. Ang mallard duck nga gihatag nagsugod naman ug itlog.”

“Our plan is to hatch, dispose and sell balut so that the association will earn. The mallard ducks (given by SAAD earlier this year) are starting to lay eggs.”

SAAD Focal Person Naomi Lamata emphasized the importance of enterprise development among beneficiaries, saying, “Ang tuyo nato ani two-way: production ug enterprising. Ang mga FAs makapadaghan sa ilahang stock ug pwede pud sila magka-income.”

“Our goal for this is two-way: production and enterprising. The FAs can both increase their stock and they can also earn income.”

“Dako kaayo nig ikatabang sa amoang mag-uuma. Isa ni kabahin, kay ako rebel returnee, makit-an sa akoang mga kauban nga ingon ani ang kaayo sa gobyerno,” Jose Borja, Lawaan Kingking FA’s chairperson stated.

“This is a big help for us farmers. As a rebel returnee, this is proof for those like me of the government’s thrust.”

Following the issuance of Executive Order 70, ELCAC areas were added to Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) as priority locations for government interventions under the SAAD program. The livelihood interventions form part of the rehabilitation process of rebel returnees. ###

Writer: James Brian R. Flaga, SAAD RPMSO 11 Information Officer
Source: DA-SAAD Davao de Oro