Six months after its launch, the native chicken livelihood project of the Gamao Agricultural Farmers Association (GAFA) in Barangay Gamao in Tingloy, Batangas has already shown promising results, producing 94 trays of eggs and earning more than Php 20,000 for its members.
The project began on June 19, 2024, when the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program in CALABARZON provided GAFA with 180 ready-to-lay native chickens. The initiative helped farming households improve food supply and provide an additional source of livelihood.
From June to December that same year, the chickens produced a total of 2,820 eggs, equivalent to 94 trays. Each tray of 30 eggs was sold at Php 200 to association members and Php 220 to non-members. Nearby residents became the project’s first customers, helping build a steady local market.
According to GAFA President Macaria Bacay, more people in the community began buying eggs directly from the association, showing support for locally produced food and strengthening early market demand.
Aside from chickens, GAFA also received housing materials, feeds, and biologics. However, the project faced challenges during its early months. The number of chickens dropped from 180 to 142 due to respiratory illness, aggressive pecking among birds, and intrusion by water monitor lizards, locally known as bayawak. Throughout this period, SAAD officers regularly visited the association to provide technical assistance to help address the concerns and prevent further losses.
Despite these setbacks, each member learned from the experience and improved their animal management practices. They also started incubating eggs to slowly rebuild and increase their stock. Aside from poultry, the association is managing eight heads of goats awarded in October 2025, applying a roll-over scheme so all members can benefit over time.
At the end of 2025, members directly managing the egg enterprise, Mario Cruzat and Nicasio Marasigan, presented reports on egg production, income, and the status of the chickens during GAFA’s regular monthly meeting. Under their agreement, each will receive 30 percent of the net income, while 40 percent will go to the association’s funds. Plans to improve operations and expand the enterprise within the municipality were also discussed.
As GAFA moves into 2026, the association remains optimistic about sustaining and growing the enterprise. With continued support from the SAAD Program and the local government of Tingloy, GAFA aims to strengthen its operations and build a more stable source of income for its members. ###
