DAVAO REGION, October 3, 2023 – Fourteen (14) farmers associations (FAs) across Davao Region received inputs from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) for the chicken layer project during its successive distributions for the week.

The FAs with 350 members all in all (25 each FA) from Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Davao Occidental were each given 300 layer chickens with a cage module system and 90 sacks of feeds, costing over half a million each, through the SAAD Program. The production project was a result of beneficiary needs assessment, wherein layer chicken proved a better option for the FAs than the program’s previous poultry project, upgraded native chicken. 

“Among kinasingkasing nga ipaabot amoang pagpasalamat sa atong gobyerno, sa SAAD program. Nadawat na jud namo among ginapangandoy nga proyekto,” Mrs. Meraya Torentira, chairperson for San Roque Farmers Association in San Isidro, Davao del Norte, said. 

(Our heartfelt gratitude to our government, and to the SAAD Program. We’ve finally received the project we’ve dreamed of.)

Their neighboring FA shared the same sentiment in the municipality of Talaingod in the same province.

“Dako among pasalamat kay natagad mi sa gobyerno. Paningkamotan namo nga ma-dala namo ni ug maayo,” Mr. Alex Diabo, chairperson for Banoog CAA Farmers Association, agreed. Banoog CAA Farmers Association is a local group of Aeta-Manobos in the area. 

(We’re thankful to the government for the attention given to us. We’ll strive to make the most out of this.)

Layer Chicken Production Project

For FY 2023, the layer chicken project is the only animal-based project of the SAAD Davao Region. Paired with either corn or banana, the livelihood projects are designed to create community-based enterprises out of the FAs.

The FAs are also set to receive egg weighing scales, egg trays, and various veterinary drugs (antibiotics and multivitamins) obligated by SAAD Davao Region at Php 7,014,672 for the entire project.

The program will support the FAs with agricultural projects for the next three years.

Ways Forward

Designed to last the FAs for 4-5 months, the feed supply will be delivered in two tranches, each comprising 45 sacks of feed. SAAD Davao Region expects the FAs to sustain the project once the supply feeds run out by selling table eggs in their communities and probable local egg suppliers.

“Among nasabotan, sa unang tulo ka bulan, ang caretaker ra juy makasulod gawas aning manokan para ma-secure ang mga manok. Ipadayon pud namo ang mga practice nga gitudlo sa amoa para magmalamposon ang produksyon,” Mrs. Torentira remarked.

(What we’ve agreed upon is that for the first three months, only the caretaker can go in and out of the facility. This is to secure [the safety] of the birds. We’ll continue the practices that were taught to us so that this production will prosper.)

“Pagabot sa pangitlog, ibaligya namo. Ang halin, didto namo ibutang sa asosasyon,” Mr. Diabo added.

(Once the hens lay eggs, we’ll sell them. The profit will go directly to the association.)

Prior to the distribution, SAAD’s community development officers (CDOs) trained their respective FAs in basic bird management, feeding and water requirements, and disease control. 

Writer: James Brian R. Flaga, DA-SAAD Davao Region Information Officer
Photos: Ronell T. Tangonan, DA-SAAD Davao Region Information Officer