DAVAO DEL NORTE, April 23, 2024 – To kickstart the group’s egg and chick production for the upgraded layer chicken project, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) has distributed implements to Dagohoy Abaca Farmers Association in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte last April 11, 2024.

Primarily composed of Aeta-Manobo members, Dagohoy FA received 250 upgraded native chickens, 20 sacks of feeds, and various veterinary drugs. Under the project, the association is also set to receive an incubator with a generator set with an allocated budget of Php 661,850 for the project. 

“Among plano aning manok, among paitologon, padaghanon, tapos taga-miembro mahatagan. Pagkahuman, mao na ang amoang plano pud nga mamaligya ug itlog ug piso,” Chairperson for Dagohoy Abaca FA Lito Bog-ot, said.

[Our plan is for them to lay eggs, then increase the number in the flock so that each member will be doled out with one, after which we plan to sell the eggs and chicks.]

Aside from the chicken project, the association previously received a crop-based intervention in the form of abaca plantlets to further empower the FA’s enterprising potential. The same project is to be distributed to another local FA in the neighboring municipality of San Isidro.

SAAD Davao Region’s upgraded native chicken project is an animal-based project set to benefit two of fourteen additional FAs benefited by the program this year. 

An upgraded native chicken is an offspring of a native and Dekalb, Peraokan, or any meat- and egg-type breed pairing. Of the distributed 250 birds, 220 are female, 30 are male. The birds are ready to lay in a month’s time for the association to optimize their eventual earnings.

“Ang tuyo ana atoang manok mapadako ug mapadaghan sa asosasyon ug dali para di na sila maglisod sa ilahang pagkaon ug panginabuhian. Unta mapalungtad nila,” Naomi C. Lamata, Alternate Assistant Focal for the program, remarked.

[Our purpose for the chicken is for the association to not exert too much effort in rearing and increasing the number of the flock. In return, this will help in their income. We hope they’ll sustain the project.]

Prior to distribution, SAAD Davao Region trained the FA in basic bird management, feeding and watering requirements, and disease control. 

Writer/Photographer: James Brian R. Flaga, DA-SAAD Davao Region Information Officer

Source: DA-SAAD Davao Region