OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, May 18, 2021 – Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program takes advantage of the constant demand for poultry products (particularly chicken meat and eggs) in Occidental Mindoro, establishing poultry farming opportunities among SAAD beneficiaries.

Magsaysay

Since the start of their egg production in December 2020, Poultry Calawag Association (PCA) produced more than 4,000 eggs per month that sell from Php 20,000-24,000.

Recently, PCA was visited by the Provincial Veterinary Maria Sonia Gallardo through SAAD and Municipal Agricultural Officer’s invitation in response to SAAD Program chief Dr. Myer G. Mula’s recommendation to ensure the health of the chickens.

Upon Ms. Gallardo’s inspection, she suggested having a health program that includes having a regular schedule for vaccination, deworming, vitamin intake, and calcium supplements for the chickens.

In addition, as per recommendation, the PCA plans to put up a footbath at the entrance of the animal housing to reduce bacteria and a hospital pen to isolate chicken that needs additional care as biosecurity measures.

PALUAN

Since January 2021, Paluenos Chicken Laying Farmers Association (PaCLay-FA) supplies Paluan Local Market with more than 6,000-7,000 eggs monthly.

To expand their production, PaClayFA is preparing to develop their current housing to accommodate an additional set of Ready-To-Lay (RTL) chickens that will be awarded to them as per the program director’s pledge during his visit in April. The budget for the renovations will be sourced from the association’s earnings.

Meanwhile, two Palauan SAAD-initiated associations start to venture into poultry farming as they nourish existing interventions given to them through SAAD.

A total of Php 626,700 worth of poultry farming package (600 heads of free-range chicken, 30 bags of corn grits, 30 bags of darak, 20 rolls of plastic mesh) was divided between Paluan-Harrison Fisherfolks Association, a DA and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources convergence association that previously received a vermicomposting facility, and the Cassava Planters Association which recently earned Php 160,276 from supplying 18,856 kilograms (kg) of dried and chipped cassava to San Miguel Corporation.

Aiming for a sufficient chicken meat and eggs supply for the local market, the said associations are looking for the possibility to collaborate with PaCLay-FA which will be receiving a set of incubator machines. The machine for the free-range chicken raisers is seen to be one of the ways to ensure RTL chicken reproduction.

The program also aims to engage cassava planters in poultry raising as an alternative livelihood during the ten-month wait until the next cassava harvest and support the fisherfolk during weather disturbances.

ABRA DE ILOG

Iraya-Mangyan SAAD beneficiaries who are members of the So. Calumpit Free-Range Chicken Raisers Association (SFCRA) in Abra de Ilog recently received 150 heads of free-range chicken.

The project aims to engage them in poultry farming and provide additional livelihood by molding them as chicken meat and eggs suppliers of the local market and other potential buyers in the municipality.

SAAD facilitated an Orientation on Free-Range Chicken Raising led by Bryan Ong, Chairman of Mindoro Free-Range Chicken Association (MFRA), and Julius Judelito Amodia, Municipal Agriculturist – Abra de Ilog before the awarding of the chickens to prepare the beneficiaries on proper handling as well as the advantages and benefits of free-range chicken production.

According to Adrian Vergara, SAAD Area Coordinator – Abra de Ilog, chicken production is one of the ideal livelihoods for the association because of the municipality’s high demand for chicken and the geographic locations of the associations are ideal pasture areas.

SAN JOSE

Brgy. Naibuan and Brgy. Monteclaro, both End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) areas in the province, received 800 head of free-range chicken and Php 210,000 worth of supplements (corn grits, darak, and plastic mesh) from SAAD Program on May 12, 2021. The two SAAD-established farmer-groups and DOLE registered associations, Samahan ng Katutubong Magsasaka ng Sitio Ibanag and Samahan ng Magsasakang Katutubo ng Monteclaro, whom the interventions were awarded consist of Hanunuo and Buhid Mangyan members.

The project aims to engage the IPs in poultry farming and provide additional livelihood by supplying chicken meat and eggs in their community and the local market.

“Mas ideal ang pag-aalaga ng free-range chicken lalo para sa mga katutubo dahil hindi ito mahirap alagaan. Hindi ito maselan sa pagkain at depende sa pag-aalaga, maaari itong mangitlog ang isang manok ng aabot sa 5-6 itlog kumpara sa native na nasa 2-3 itlog lamang,” said John Bryan Ong, President of Mindoro Free Range Association.

FA earnings from the poultry project in pioneering areas (Magsaysay and Paluan) have helped the beneficiaries with their finances for their farms and provided food for their families. “Malaki ang naitulong ng perang pautang ng samahan namin para sa gastusin sa aming bukid. Dahil dito, malaki ang kinita naming sa aming taniman,” said Linda Masangkay, PCA Chairperson.###

Writer: Dianne Francis A. Sy, SAAD Information Officer I

Sources:

Jercel N. Catubig, SAAD Area Coordinator – San Jose, Vilmar J. Robes, SAAD Area Coordinator – Magsaysay, Wily Adrian E. Vergara, SAAD Area Coordinator – Abra de Ilog, Jhonzell G. Panganiban, SAAD Area Coordinator – Paluan, Melody N. Oliveros, Agricultural Technologist