To help farmers improve their skills, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) MIMAROPA worked with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) MIMAROPA to train four farmers’ groups in Romblon and Occidental Mindoro over the month of April, this year.
The training focused on free-range chicken production and making their own feeds. It aimed to give farmers the knowledge and skills they need to manage their livelihood projects under the program.
Training on Free-range Chicken Production
Twenty farmers of Tabok Farmers Organization in Concepcion, Romblon participated in a three-day training on free-range chicken production from April 8 to 10.
The training was led by Ms. Neri S. Fontanilla, owner of Agrigold Farm, one of ATI’s certified Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSA). Ms. Fontanilla shared her expertise in free-range chicken raising and discussed essential topics such as breed and breeding management, feeding practices across different growth stages, and housing requirements. She also emphasized the importance of record keeping, cost analysis, and feed formulation to help reduce production expenses. Additionally, she discussed the industry trends and the economic opportunities for poultry raisers in the free-range sector.
The Tabok Farmers Organization is one of the 15 associations under the SAAD Program’s FY 2025 expansion. Located on Sibale Island, the association is set to manage a Free-range Chicken with Root Crops Production Project aimed at contributing to food sufficiency and addressing the demand for chicken meat and root crops, especially during periods when sea travel is restricted due to rough seas.
Training on Feed Formulation
On April 20 to 22, Talaotao Farmers Association, Bulacan Farmers Association, and Barangay Bonbon Farmers Association, with a total of 60 members, attended a Training on Feed Formulation held in Looc, Occidental Mindoro. Talaotao FA is currently managing the Goat Production Project while Bulacan and Bonbon FAs are beneficiaries of the Cattle Production Projects.
Ms. Fontanilla and Mr. Monchito L. Jalac, Technical Support Staff I of ATI MIMAROPA, focused on formulating feeds for small and large ruminants using locally available materials. The speakers highlighted the importance of proper animal nutrition management and discussed pasture development and forage production.
Participants learned how to make organic concoctions and extracts for livestock, formulate natural feed mixes, and proper storage methods. The training also introduced practical methods for producing livestock supplements including hay silage, salt licks, and urea molasses mineral block (UMMB).
During the said training sessions, Mr. Mel D. Manalo, Planning Officer of ATI MIMAROPA, discussed the programs, projects, and activities of their office and encouraged the farmers to explore other training programs and services offered by the institute.
Meanwhile, Ms. Marissa D. Vargas, SAAD MIMAROPA Regional Lead, expressed gratitude for the collaboration. “Lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa pamunuan ng ATI-MIMAROPA sa pagbibigay ng oportunidad para sa training partnership upang mabigyan ng makabagong pagsasanay ang aming mga magsasaka, tulad ng pagsasanay sa feed formulation o paggamit ng natural na sangkap para sa pagkain ng mga baka at kambing upang mabawasan ang gastos sa pagbili ng commercial feeds. Itong pagsasanay na ito ay napakahalaga na sangkap para makamit ng SAAD Program ang sustainable development sa aming mga hawak na asosasyon,” she said.
(We are deeply grateful to the management of ATI – MIMAROPA for providing the opportunity for a training partnership to provide our farmers with modern training, such as feed formulation or using natural ingredients for the feed of goats and cattle to reduce expenses in buying commercial feeds. This training is an essential component for the SAAD Program to achieve sustainable development among the associations we manage.)
Vargas added, “Umaasa kami sa tuloy-tuloy na training partnership sa ATI-MIMAROPA tungo sa patuloy na pagpapaunlad ng kaalaman at kasanayan ng ating mga benepisyaryo.”
(We hope for a continued training partnership with the ATI-MIMAROPA toward the continuous improvement of the knowledge and skills of our beneficiaries.)
The training sessions were jointly facilitated by SAAD Community Development Officers Relan Sabac and Romulo Borrez, Senior Administrative Assistant Angelo Garcia, staff from ATI MIMAROPA staff, and representatives from the respective Municipal Agriculture Offices of Concepcion and Looc.
