CATANDUANES, October 31, 2021 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA–SAAD) Program conducted various training to 151 Catanduanes farmers to refresh and enhance their technical knowledge on livestock and poultry production.

The activities are aimed at achieving sustainable livestock and poultry production, as well as introducing the farmers to enterprise development.

Participants received first–hand knowledge from the DA Regional Field Office V speakers: Marianito A. Tesorero (Agriculturist II of the Livestock and Poultry Program), Gail Antioquia (SAAD Technical Staff), and Honey Leah O. Cantoria (SAAD Researcher).

Poultry Production Training

Beneficiaries of chicken and duck production from the municipalities of Bato, Baras, Gigmoto, San Miguel, Bagamanoc, and Panganiban participated in the Training on Poultry Production and Product Development conducted from September 20 to October 1.

Beneficiaries belonging to 10 farmers’ associations (FA) attended the activities.

Table 1. FAs Trained on Poultry Production and Product Development

Mr. Tesosero and Mr. Antioquia discussed disciplines such as proper management of chicken and duck, poultry nutrition, production, as well as administration of animal biologics.

Meanwhile, Ms. Cantoria upskilled the farmers with basic food hygiene, proper food preparation, and product development.

The beneficiaries prepared puto flan, salted egg, pickled egg, and leche flan. The main ingredient was either chicken or duck eggs.

Some FAs like Barang-an Duck Association (BDA) from Gigmoto, San Roque Duck Raisers Association, and Cagraray Duck Raisers Association both from Bato already have prospective agribusiness opportunities and are enthusiastic to venture into an enterprise.

BDA president Fernando Regalado said their association already has a potential client for salted eggs.

“Ang pag-atendir sa mga training nakakatabang ning dakula sa samuyang mga parauma ta dakul kaming nanunud-an buda naprepreparar kami na magkaigwa ning magayon na futuro. Grabeng importansya kaini ta nakukua mi ini ning libre. Ang mga namatidan mi uya magagamit mi na diretso. Igwa na kaming nakahulon na su mga magigibo ming mga itlog na maalat maipapabakal na nimi Php 12 kada pidaso, mas barato kaysa sa iba. Kami po gapamabalos sa SAAD ta pigataw-an kami ning paagi na mag-angat man sa buhay,” Fernando shared.

(Attending training helps us to acquire new knowledge and prepares us to have a better future. More importantly, we get this for free. Our learnings from this training can be immediately put into use since we already have a potential client who will purchase our salted egg products at Php 12 apiece, cheaper than other sellers. We are thankful to SAAD because it gives us opportunities to improve our present economic condition.)

The training for chicken and duck production amounting to Php 676,000 is under the Poultry Production Project of SAAD for Catanduanes for FY 2021.

Goat Production Training

The DA-SAAD also conducted Training on Small Ruminants Production and Pasture Development where 36 farmers from 5 different FAs attended. The goat raisers aim to be one of the suppliers of goat and goat meat in the province.

Table 2. FAs Trained on Small Ruminants Production and Pasture Development

The farmers’ knowledge was enhanced through the discussion about proper management of goats, and best practices to achieve a successful goat production.

The right methods for administering medicines were also demonstrated by Mr. Tesorero and Mr. Antioquia.

Participants of the training were also given a pair of boots and apron as part of the budget allocation of Php 338,000 under the Livestock Production Project of SAAD Catanduanes.

With the help of SAAD, the FAs plan to coordinate with their respective Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAO) to seek further assistance and support in making their goat production venture a sure success. ###

 

Writer: Sarah Jane C. Taway, DA SAAD Catanduanes – Information Officer

Sources: PPMO Catanduanes

Photo Sources: Romy Judson G. Eusebio