SURIGAO DEL NORTE, November 30, 2023 – Granting livelihood projects with rippling economic opportunities, two farmers’ associations in Siargao Island started rice retailing business off their Php 255,445 income from the Egg Production Project funded by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program.

Both from General Luna, the Active Farmers’ Association of Magsaysay (AFAM) and United Farmers Association of Santa Cruz (UFASA) received Php 1,166,700 worth of egg production project, a first in their communities, with inputs such as 192 head of ready-to-lay (RTL) chickens and a one-year supply of feeds, drugs, and biologics. 

After building the poultry house through a bayanihan system as the group’s counterpart, the RTLs were delivered in July and started laying eggs within the same month. As of November, AFAM accumulated a total of Php 134,520 while UFASAC earned Php 120,925.Table 1. Production and Sales record of SAAD-assisted FAs in General Luna 

From their income from selling eggs within and to adjacent communities, AFAM set aside Php 39,900 as capital to buy 30 sacks of rice in October and UFASAC with Php 16,820 to buy 10 sacks of rice in August as startup inputs for their rice retailing business. 

As of November, both FAs are earning additional income from the rice retailing aside ranging from Php Php 1000-2000 a month, depending on the quantity of sacks sold. 

The side business also serves as an immediate food source for members. As exclusive privilege, FA members are allowed to borrow rice with a fixed interest of Php 70  per half sack (25 kilos) for AFAM and Php 100 per 1 sack (50 kilos) for UFASAC.

According to Mr. Reczan Borja, UFASAC President, the group considered engaging in side projects, such as the rice retailing, as a way to grow their cash on hand and maximize their earnings while also managing the egg production project. 

UFASAC and AFAM envision becoming an established egg producer not only in their barangay but in the entire island. As of November, both FAs collect an average of five (5) and a half trays of eggs per day. But the eggs get sold within the day due to the high demand on the island from local sari-sari stores and restaurants. The groups build on this potential to expand their stocks in the years ahead, alongside engaging in other side businesses to sustain their operations. ###

Writer: Mark Angelo C. Pineda, DA-SAAD Caraga Information Officer
Source: Porcelito M. Escobal, Jr., DA-SAAD Caraga Community Development Officer