To further support its beneficiaries, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Davao held a Training of Trainers on Meat Processing, Value Addition, and Effective Marketing to support its 14 farmers’ associations (FAs) last July 22 to 25, 2025.
The participants were area coordinators who were provided with practical skills and business strategies which they can share with FAs in the region as they are preparing to cull their layer chickens. The training focused on using culled chickens—those no longer laying eggs—to produce meat products like tocino, siomai, pastil, longganisa, and nuggets.
The activity was also conducted in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which led sessions on food hygiene and safety hazards. These discussions were led by Professional Food Technologist – Supervising Science Research Specialists (SRS) and Assistant Director Ms. Sheryl N. Napoco and Ms. Nema Freya D. Cebritas.
Also tapped as resource speakers were SRS II Ms. Donna Rose D. Ching, who discussed packaging and labeling and Ms. Leigh Blanche Joville from the Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) Unit who presented cost and return analysis.
Further, SRS II Ms. Jorgea C. Galindo, Ms. Marivel M. Collado from the DA-Livestock Program and Procurement Officer Ms. Jennifer Balisacan taught the participants meat processing techniques and explained the roles of meat and non-meat ingredients during the hands-on activities.
“Ang maong training naghatag og awtoridad sa atong mga Area Coordinators aron matudluan ang mga FAs og alternatibong pamaagi sa pagpanginabuhi, ilabi na kung moubos na ang produksyon sa itlog. Pinaagi sa value-adding, mapadayon gihapon ang kapuslanan ug pagkakitaan sa mga produkto,” said Naomi C. Lamata, SAAD Alternate Assistant Focal.
(This training empowers our Area Coordinators to teach FAs alternative livelihood strategies, especially when egg production declines. Through value-adding, these products remain viable and profitable.)
The activity supports the Program’s goal of helping FAs build community-based enterprises (CBEs) by turning past livelihood support into sustainable income sources.
Following this, participants are expected to apply and share what they learned in their areas. Meanwhile, SAAD Davao continues to support farming communities through practical training and livelihood development.###
