Pangaleon Farmers Association, a Tagakaolo Indigenous People (IP)- led centric farmers group in Malita, funneled their income from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program’s layer chicken project to set up a general merchandise store in their community.

 

Situated in the highlands of Sitio Danao in Barangay Pangaleon, more than 300 meters above sea level, the Pangaleon FA’s general merchandise store features basic living supplies and agricultural supplies catered to the inhabitants, including but not limited to sugar, instant noodles, eggs, herbicides, and pesticides.

 

The group’s new enterprise sprung out of the income from DA-SAAD’s layer chicken production project delivered last year in September. As of writing, the FA reported more than Php 217,000 in gross income from the livelihood project.

 

“Nakatigom jud mi sa itlog. Tungod sa kamaayo sa amoang mga miembro, ang among mga expenses sa pagpatukod ug tindahan, wala mi nagkuha sa manukan. Nagplano mi, nagmeeting kabahin aning plano namo sa building, nagshare mi ug Php500,” said Pangaleon Farmers Association chairperson Jerelyn Tumondail. “Nakadesisyon mi nga ang Php100k, among i-withdraw mao amoang i-compra sa mga produkto namo. Among mga gipamalit asukal, noodles, pangsagbot.”

 

(We have really earned on the eggs. Due to our member’s kindness, we didn’t fund the building of the store from the egg’s income. We planned, met, talked regarding the plans on the building, and decided to chip in Php500 each to cover the expenses. We’ve decided to withdraw the Php100,000 to use as capital for the products we’ll display. We’ve bought supplies like sugar, noodles, even herbicides.)

 

“Pagtrabaho ani, wala pud mi nagpa-sweldo, nagbayanihan mi. Kami mga babae ang namanday ani,” added Tumondail.

 

(For labor, we didn’t pay for it since we’ve done bayanihan. We, the women, built this.)

 

This year, SAAD Davao Region augmented the existing layer chicken project of the FA through supplementation of additional 144 birds, feeds, and veterinary drugs. The program will support the FA with agri-interventions up until next year then assess the project’s impact for continuation through 2028.

 

Pangaleon FA has received both animal and crop-based production projects from the SAAD program since 2023 with layer chicken and corn projects. The same production projects are given to the FA this year.

 

According to the FA, the birds started laying eggs in October 2023. Since then, the FA has supplied their community and neighboring ones with farm fresh eggs. 

 

“Daghan mi ug buyer, ang uban sila na ang musulong diri. Mga taga-lain barangay diri na pud manguha sa amoa ug itlog. Usahay kulangan na mi sa amoang harvest,” Tumondail related. “Among baligya depende sa size, ang pinakadako jumbo.”

 

(We have lots of buyers, some will even brave the roads here to get the eggs. Those in the neighboring barangays go here as well. Most of the time, our eggs won’t be enough. We have different sizes, the biggest being the jumbo sizing.)

 

Asked about their implementation processes, Tumondail highlighted the importance of having clear and concise vision, group thinking, and moving as one unit.

 

“Giplano jud namo. Dili namo gusto nga naay pondo, unya wala mi makita. Unta makita diri, unya mahimo mi nga sumbanan,” she said.

 

(We really planned for it. We didn’t want the funds to sleep on the bank. We must see something tangible from the money we’ve earned. We hope it is seen here in our community, and we will be set as an example.)

 

While at a high with their tangible investments, the association likewise acknowledges the reality that they need to prepare for the eventual bird feed expense once SAAD’s feed supply support ends. The project’s sustainability heavily depends on the association’s capability to support the feed requirements for the birds against the income from their egg production.

 

“Ayuhon namo ni ug dala. Sa pagkakaron, nanagana nami para sa kaonon sa mga manok, kay kung mahurot na ang supply gikan sa SAAD, asa na man mi manguha pangkaon kung wala mi ikapalit,” said Tumodail. “Ang nakaayo, naa na pud mi dugang income ani karon. Makadungag sa amoang banko.”

 

(We will take the extra care to manage it. Right now, we are preparing for feeds since when the supply from SAAD depletes, we will be the ones to buy the feeds ourselves. Good thing is that we have the additional income now to add to our funds at the bank.)

 

SAAD’s layer chicken project benefits 17 FAs this year, including the original 14 FAs benefited by the program in 2023.

 

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Writer/Photographer: James Brian Flaga, SAAD Davao Region PRDC

Photographer: James Brian Flaga, SAAD Davao Region PRDC

Source: DA-SAAD Davao Region