DAVAO DEL NORTE, May 03, 2024 – Following the distribution to the Dagohoy Abaca Farmers Association in Talaingod last April 11, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) concluded the dispersal of the program’s upgraded native chicken project to the Diversified Farmers Association of Sabangan in the municipality of San Isidro.

The said FA received 250 upgraded native chickens, 20 sacks of feeds, and various veterinary drugs to kickstart their chicken egg and meat production.

“Among atimanon ug padaghanon ang mga manok. Pangandoy namo nga dili lang kami makabenepisyo ani, kundili apil na pud ang tibook barangay Sabangan,” chairperson for the association Gaudioso Tabaranza, said.

(We’ll take good care and increase the flock. It’s our dream to make this something that not only the association benefits from, but the entire community as well.)

Previously identified to benefit from SAAD’s production projects, the two FAs form part of the 14 new FAs added by the program to receive agri-interventions this year. Aside from the chicken project, the associations also received crop-based intervention separately—corn for Sabangan and abaca for Dagohoy.

An upgraded native chicken is a cross between the native breed and any egg and meat type breeds such as Dekalb Brown and Rhode Island Red. Since Phase 1 of the program’s implementation, this project has been a staple livelihood project from SAAD Davao Region. 

This year, the Dagohoy Abaca FA and Diversified FA of Sabangan are the only FAs to receive the project after results from participatory rural appraisal, with more than Php 1.2M budget allotment to cover for both.

Aside from the birds, feeds, and veterinary drugs, the associations are also set to receive incubators, egg trays, and poultry nets within the year.

“Kaning upgraded native chicken nato, mao ni atong napili kay mubagay siya sa atong mga maguuma nga naa sa hilagyong dapit. Kani nga manok, dali padakon ug paspas ang pangitlog. Ang tuyo ani, padaghanon sa asosasyon,” Alternate Assistant Focal for SAAD Davao Region Naomi C. Lamata said.

[It’s the upgraded native chicken that we’ve chosen because it fits in with our farmers in hinterland areas. This type of chicken is for egg and meat type, and the purpose is to increase the number of poultry in the area.] 

The following FAs will be receiving interventions from the SAAD Davao Region up until 2028.

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