In Dinagat Islands, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Caraga has been instrumental in providing crucial support to mixed-crop farmers, as six (6) farmer associations (FAs) fetched a gross income of Php 976,999.50 in January 2024 from their chicken layer project, as an alternative while waiting for sweet corn harvest.

Recently, the six FAs supported under SAAD Phase 2 namely: Pangie Farmers’ Association, Justiniana Edera Livestock Grower Association (JELGA), Malinao Poultry Raisers Association (MAPORA), Mabini Multipurpose Cooperative (MAMULCO), Doña Helen Sewing Women’s Association (DOHSWA) and Bayanihan Makugihong, Mag-uuma, Mangingisda Asosasyon (BMMMA), received fertilizers and fish nets valued at Php 158,850, aimed at bolstering their agricultural endeavors. 

These supplies serve dual purposes – the fish nets are utilized to safeguard chicken housing, ensuring the safety of layer chickens from diseases and predators, while the fertilizers support the sweet corn project undertaken by the farmers.

Concurrently, SAAD Caraga has been closely monitoring the progress of the FAs’ poultry income alongside the status of their sweet corn crops. These efforts are part of the Integrated Sweet Corn and Chicken Layer Project under SAAD Phase 2, benefitting FAs across Libjo, Tubajon, and Dinagat Islands. The FY 2023 total project cost for the said FAs amounted to Php 3,248,084. 

Chicken layer project

The journey into poultry farming commenced for these farmers in July 2023, when they received chickens and embarked on a communal poultry farming venture. Through diligent efforts and monitoring by SAAD implementers, the FAs have made significant strides. 

By January 2024, they already collected 174,370 chicken eggs and sold them at Php 5-6 per piece (pc), fetching a gross income of Php 976,999.50 (Table 1).

Table 1. FAs egg sales report of chicken layer project as of July 2023 – January 2024 in Dinagat Islands

Sweet corn project 

In addition to poultry farming, each FA is actively involved in cultivating sweet corn on communal lands, with harvest expected in March 2024. Through collaborative planning, preparation, and ongoing support activities, the FAs are geared towards long-term sustainability and prosperity.

Before distributing the fertilizers and fishnets, the FAs had the chance to enhance their knowledge and skills through crop and poultry production training and market-related support activities for long-term project sustainability.

JELGA chairperson Felimon Cape shared that with the program’s assistance, “Tungod sa suporta nga gihatag, padayon mi maningkamot ug pag amoma sa mga proyekto nga among nadawat gikan sa DA-SAAD program. Usa sa among gi target nga ang grupo mahimong supplier sa tibuok probinsya sa Dinagat.” 

[Through the support from the DA-SAAD program, we will continue to strive hard and nurture the assistance provided from the program. Our association aims to be one of the suppliers to the entire province of Dinagat.] 

The distribution of additional projects’ support, led by DA-SAAD in collaboration with local government units, highlights the collective effort towards agricultural development in Dinagat. These efforts, coupled with integrated farming practices, are promoting inclusive growth and improving production, setting a thriving agricultural sector in the area. ###

Writer: Shena Mae C. Pabia, DA-SAAD Caraga Regional Information Officer