SORSOGON, November 24, 2023 – Three (3) farmers associations (FAs) in Sorsogon started poultry farming for egg production after they received the ready-to-lay (RTL) chicken project from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAA) on August 12, 2023.

The FAs, San Isidro Iraya Poultry Association in Bulusan, Fabrica Poultry Association in Barcelona, and Sinang-atan Farmers Association in Matnog, with 75 total members who were previously prepared for project operation through layer poultry management training last July, received each with 200 RTL white leghorn chickens, 90 bags of layer chicken feeds, 1 set of animal drugs, and 3 rolls of plastic net. In total, the SAAD-funded project for the three groups amounted to Php 1,240,200.

Prior to the distribution, as the recipients’ counterpart, each FA constructed poultry houses at a communal area measuring 30-70 square meters. Each group assigned 3 to 4 members daily to handle the sanitary maintenance and egg collection duties.

Mrs. Gemma Ermenio, chairperson of Sinang-atan FA shared that the said project is an opportunity for them to diversify income streams by adding poultry operation to their venture. Good livelihood management and ensuring its sustainability will help them progress as a group and become agripreneurs through establishment of community-based enterprise.

“Malaki po ang tulong na ibinigay [ng SAAD] sa amin. Kaabang-abang ang mga oportunidad na kaakibat ng proyektong ito. Dahil dito, lalong tumibay ang samahan naming mga babae at naging mas pursigidong makamit ang aming mga layunin sa grupo,” said Mrs. Ermenio.

(SAAD helped us a lot. We look forward to the opportunities that come with the project. Because of this, the women in our group became more empowered and focused on achieving our goals.)

With members’ vast experiences and the feasibility of their communities in poultry farming, the said project was provided to them as a result of the Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA) conducted with them.

Keeping track on the progress of its beneficiaries, the SAAD regional and provincial implementers will conduct project monitoring activities for these FAs until they can sustain the livelihood and establish themselves as local egg producers. The Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAO) on the other hand, will closely work with the FAs and assist them in market-related and enterprise development training, market linkage and access, and market mapping in order to reach CBE establishment. ###

Writer: Pauline Trixia D. Borja, SAAD Bicol Information Officer
Sources: Mary Rose Detera, SAAD Associate Project Officer
Photos: SAAD Program Sorsogon