APAYAO, August 25, 2021 – Twenty members of the Sta. Maria, Allig, Malayugan, Mallig, Balluyan (SAMMBA) Farmers Association (FA) in Flora, Apayao will produce salted egg and balut as the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program launched the Duck Egg Production and Processing Project.

The livelihood project aims to encourage poultry and food processing activities as locals transition to the new normal.

SAMMBA FA received Php 978,000 worth of start-up poultry inputs and materials on August 11 comprising 1,100 mallard ducks as breeding stocks, 80 bags of layer mash, 20 poultry nets, 200 egg trays, 40 plastic crates, an incubator, and a power generator. The project was funded under the FY 2020 fund.

Each beneficiary received 55 mallard ducks, four bags of layer mash, a poultry net, 10 egg trays, and two plastic crates. Ducks will be reared in the beneficiaries’ areas.

The poultry stocks distributed are 5-6 months old and are about to lay eggs which is advantageous to the raisers.

“Kadagiti amin nga bumubuo iti SAAD program, agyamanak kami iti ayat yu nga mang support kadakami nga agkasapulan iti tulong nangruna iti panggep iti pagbiyagan,” shared Emelita D. Fabian, President of SAMMBA Farmers Association.

[To all program implementers of SAAD, thank you for your never-ending support to farmers like us who are in need of help in terms of stable income.]

Before the awarding, recipients of the poultry stocks underwent Organizational Development and Management (ODM) Training to capacitate and enhance their technical know-how on organizational management, leadership development, and bookkeeping. It was conducted by the SAAD Program in partnership with the local government unit in July 2021.

About SAMMBA FA

The group was registered at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on June 13, 2017 as a cooperative for the underemployed and home-based workers in the community with identified capability to engage in entrepreneurial activities.

SAMMBA FA is already engaged in fruit tree cultivation and postharvest activities previously provided by the program. ###

 

Writer: Kathleen Faye B. Agonoy, Information Officer I, SAAD Apayao