Sixteen (16) youth members of the Casapa Livestock Raisers Association (CLiRA) in Jiabong, Samar proved that an agricultural enterprise achieving over a million pesos is not a far reach.
Through the livelihood support provided by the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2 in July 2023, in the form of egg layer production project, CLiRA members recorded a total gross income of Php 1.2 million.
From 2023 to 2024, these young farmers successfully sold over 142,000 pieces of eggs, generating Php 1.07 million. They continued this success into the first quarter of 2025, earning an additional Php 192,000.
“We achieved P1.2 million mainly through our egg production enterprise. Egg selling became our primary source of income because of its consistent demand and quick turnover,” bared Lenard Jabolin, CLiRA President.
Although the association is composed of young individuals ranging from 15 to 32 years old, this did not hinder their goal to succeed in egg farming. They always made sure that their layer chickens are provided with proper housing, regular feeding and veterinary care.
In terms of marketing, the group directly sells their eggs to sari-sari stores within their barangay and neighboring sitios in their municipality. They also offer bundled discounts to encourage more patronage and take advantage of the networking perks of social media to advertise their products.
Earning a higher income gave the group an opportunity to invest more on the enterprise. They were able to acquire two additional sets of ready-to-lay chickens amounting to Php 76,000 and made further improvements of their farm.
“Because of this project, we were able to expand and increase our production. We were also able to invest in a parcel of land, a motorcycle, electric meter connection and CCTV equipment. This also helped the concrete construction of the layer house, including the office and the arch in the farm,” said Jabolin.
Along with their endeavor to achieve economic growth, the group recognizes the benefits of this livelihood to their community.
“The project provided residents with quality eggs, as they didn’t need to travel long distances or rely on eggs stored for extended periods. This has also strengthened our local community by keeping money circulating within it and reducing dependence on large commercial farms, at the same time securing food self-sufficiency and lessening vulnerability to supply chain disruptions,” Jabolin emphasized.
CLiRA members firmly believe in the saying, “Youth in Agriculture: Growing the Future”. Their will to make a meaningful impact in agriculture allows them to balance their academic responsibilities, employment, and commitment to the association. With the guidance of the SAAD PPMSO, they supported each other, strengthened the organization, and remained motivated to grow stronger together.
“Our farming is rooted in a strong commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of our members and supporting the wider agricultural community. We farm purpose-driven by our belief in responsible livestock and poultry management as a cornerstone of food security and sustainable agriculture,” he said.
Truly, the youth are the hope of our future; and the SAAD Program promotes the development of today’s young individuals to become catalysts for change in the field of agriculture, shaping their views towards economic growth and nation-building.###
Source: Jocelyn Torres, PPMSO Samar
