CARAGA REGION, August 8, 2024 – To strengthen livelihood initiatives and promote food security among Farmers’ Associations (FAs) in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program distributed Ready-to-Lay (RTL) pullets to thirteen (13) FAs in these provinces as part of the Egg Production Project in July 2024.
For them to develop a sustainable farming system and boost agricultural productivity, the Program also encouraged them to engage in agriculture through various livelihood interventions, training, strategic planning, and effective management of production. Promoting equal development opportunities, the SAAD team conducted a Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA), which identified the Egg Production Project as a livelihood intervention for the FAs.
A total of 1,824 pullets were provided to the 13 FAs (Table 1). The 325 members of the FAs agreed to the poultry in communal farms in their respective areas. Farmers have their consensus as to shared responsibilities in the farms such as maintaining the poultry house, ensuring a steady supply of clean water, feeding, providing vitamins, and collecting eggs.
Table 1. Recipients of chicken layer project in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands
| FA | Total pullets received (head) | Date delivered | Total Cost
(Php) |
| Province of Dinagat Islands | |||
| Pangie Farmers Association | 192 | July 29, 2024 | 175,872.00 |
| Justiniana Edera Livestock Growers Association (JELGA) | 192 | July 29, 2024 | 175,872.00 |
| Bayanihan Makugihong Mag-uuma ug Mangigisda Asosasyon (BMMMA) | 192 | July 29, 2024 | 175,872.00 |
| Malinao Poultry Raisers Association (MAPORA) | 192 | July 29, 2024 | 175,872.00 |
| Mabini Multipurpose Cooperative (MAMULCO) | 192 | July 29, 2024 | 175,872.00 |
| Doña Helen Sewing Womens Association (DOHSWA) | 192 | July 29, 2024 | 175,872.00 |
| Province of Surigao del Norte | |||
| San Juan Abaca Farmers Association (SJAFA) | 96 | July 24, 2024 | 96,000.00 |
| Union SAAD Farmers Association (USFA) | 96 | July 24, 2024 | 96,000.00 |
| California Farmers Association (CFA) | 96 | July 24, 2024 | 96,000.00 |
| Biyabid SAAD Farmers Association (BISAFA) | 96 | July 24, 2024 | 96,000.00 |
| Tagbayani SAAD Farmers Association (TAGSAFA) | 96 | July 24, 2024 | 96,000.00 |
| Hanagdong Lakatan Farmers Association (HALAFA) | 96 | July 24, 2024 | 96,000.00 |
| Karihatag Poultry Raisers Organization (KPRO) | 96 | July 24, 2024 | 96,000.00 |
| Total | 1,824 | 1,727,232.00 | |
Aside from the pullets, the FAs already received the feeds last July 11-17, 2024. This August, egg trays, drugs and biologics, syringes, weighing scales, water hoses, plastic drums, and additional feeds are scheduled to be delivered from September to November this year.
For the FAs’ counterpart, farmers initiated and helped out each other to build their semi-confinement poultry house for their Ready-to-Lay chickens. The poultry house was built from the available local materials in the farmers’ areas.
Area Coordinator from Surigao del Norte Potamio I. Valdehueza, II shared that the farmers have the potential in managing poultry chicken since they were participative, active and eager to learn. He added that this project was once the FAs’ dream that came to reality. ###
Writer: Shena Mae C. Pabia, SAAD-Caraga Regional Information Officer
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