CARAGA, May 30, 2023 – To improve farmers’ project management skills, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 conducted Training on Egg Layer Production and Management among 134 assisted farmers in the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) and Surigao del Norte (SDN).
The training ran from May 23 to 26, 2023, and tackled egg production management, including animal housing, feeding, sanitation and health management introducing biosecurity measures, and vitamins and drugs supplementation to prevent and address infections and diseases.
The participating farmers are members of five (5) farmers groups in Dinagat and Tubajon, PDI, and San Isidro and San Benito, SDN, who will receive Php 1,166,700 worth of communal egg production projects each under SAAD Phase 2 implementation.
The package includes 192 ready-to-lay pullets, feeds, egg trays, drugs and biologics, and farm tools to be delivered in June this year.
Table 1. List of Participating Farmers’ Associations
Agricultural Center Chief of the Provincial Veterinary Office – SDN Dr. Jessica G. Naniong-Rosete served as resource person in San Isidro and San Benito; and Mariza C. Magsalay and Dr. Niel Rosillo of Provincial Veterinary Office-PDI, and Kriszia B. Custodio of DA – Agricultural Program Coordinating Office PDI for the training in Dinagat and Tubajon.
Dr. Rosete also introduced farm record keeping to the FAs with templates on flock mortality, feed consumption, and egg collection provided. As emphasized, a well-maintained and accurate recording system is requisite for a start-up business.
Results of the Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA) conducted by the Program staff from March to April this year revealed that the layer production is new to the group. While they have experience raising backyard chickens, which were mostly for consumption, a training on establishing and managing white leghorn is needed.###
Writer: Mark Angelo C. Pineda, DA-SAAD Caraga Information Officer
