Business expansion has always been the goal of Polangi Farmers’ Association (PFA) in Taft, Eastern Samar.  Since their receipt of the FY 2020 Egg Layer Production Project from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 1, the group was able procure additional batches of laying hens and a parcel of land using their accumulated savings from trading fresh eggs in their community.

Organized in March 2021, the Polangi FA has 20 active members who depend on coconut and rice farming as well as backyard hog raising. Other members rely on labor work such as laundry and being household helpers.

On November 20, 2021, the farmer group received the Layer Egg Production Project funded under DA-SAAD’s FY 2020 savings amounting to Php 780, 500. It comprised 368 ready-to-lay (RTL) chickens, 200 bags of layer feeds, 1 unit of egg weighing scale, and 250 pieces of egg trays. The livelihood package also included a training on poultry production and management.

The group rented a parcel of land located in Barangay Polangi to build the poultry house. As a counterpart, each member contributed Php 200 for the purchase of construction materials. They agreed with the land owner that 5% of the group’s monthly income (from 2021 to 2022) shall serve as rental fee.

The Polangi FA split up its members into five subgroups – each alternately managing their communal farm. The members on duty maintain cleanliness, harvest eggs, sort eggs into different sizes, deliver orders, and record sales and expenses. They facilitate weekly evaluations, sharing of accomplishments, sales and expenses. Meetings also involve planning for upcoming weeks, including dialogues to address and collaboratively find solutions.

The group manages their finances by dividing their net income into various miscellaneous. They allot 25% to their savings and deposit it in a bank. Meanwhile, 50% is allocated for the replenishment of stocks, 10% for the repair and maintenance of the poultry farm, and the remaining 15% as incentive for the farmers on duty.

Table 1. Polangi FA’s Production Income

For three years of managing their poultry and fresh vegetable trading business likewise their additional venture on swine production, the group accumulated Php 2,268,020 gross income. They deducted Php 1,699,870 worth of expenses for procurement of farm inputs, hauling fees, and incentives intended for each member. Finally, the group reported a net income of Php 568,150.

Navigating the Path to Business Growth

Currently, their goal to expand the egg retail business is a success, making them a model farm in the community. Two years after the program intervention, they acquired 0.75 hectares of land for additional ventures, including the extension of their poultry house. They have purchased 450 egg layers, with another 200 on the way this year. To further broaden their enterprise, they have ventured into hog fattening by procuring seven head worth Php 31,500.

Ms. Conrada Dorsal-Sesio, president of Polangi FA, shared how the program contributed to the success of the organization.

 “With support from DA-SAAD, our gradual improvement is becoming increasingly visible. We obtained accreditation from various government agencies, acquired our communal production property, and diversified our sources of income,” she said.

The Polangi FA aims to increase their egg layer population to 10,000 in the coming years and expand swine fattening to swine production. They are exploring the addition of shade houses for both egg layer and swine facilities to give ample space for their animals. ###

Writer: Justine May A. Delloro, DA-SAAD Eastern Visayas Information Officer

Source: Niño Roque I. Docena, DA-SAAD Eastern Samar CDO-II