A new livelihood is taking shape in Barangay San Vicente, Hindang, Leyte, as local farmers venture into poultry farming with support from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program.
Through the program, the San Vicente Farmers and Fishermen’s Association (SVFFA) recently received 300 ready-to-lay (RTL) chickens and 53 bags of poultry feed, jumpstarting their community-based egg production project in July this year.
SVFFA, with 35 members, previously received interventions on the FY 2023 Support to Vegetable and Jackfruit Production Project. The group planted eggplants, string beans, ampalaya, okra, chili, bell pepper, and tomatoes.
Earlier this year, these farmers identified poultry farming as a promising alternative source of income, driven by increasing demand for fresh eggs, not only in the municipality but also from neighboring towns. Even before receiving RTL support, the association used part of its collective savings last March to build a modest coop and purchase 50 hens as an initial investment.
“Kini nga proyekto makahatag kanamo og bag-ong higayon. Kanunay kaming nagsalig sa tradisyonal nga pagpananom og utanon, apan kini nga proyekto siguradong makahatag kanamo usa ka bag-ong panginabuhi nga mahimo namon madumala diri sa among communal area lang,” said Cirilo Berdos, SVFFA president.
[This project will give us a fresh start. We have always relied on growing vegetables, but this new venture brings hope for a more stable income, as well as a new development in our communal area.]
The initiative aims to diversify livelihoods and strengthen food security in the rural community. With proper care, the RTL hens are expected to begin producing eggs within a few weeks.
The group plans to market the fresh eggs to nearby households, sari-sari stores, and local markets. They also intend to expand the flock and improve the coop using income from future sales.
Looking ahead, SVFFA also plans to use chicken manure as organic fertilizer for their vegetable farms—linking traditional farming practice with their new poultry venture.
“Dili lang kini usa ka proyekto sa panginabuhi kundi usa ka pamuhunan sa pag-produce og pagkaon ug paghatag gahum sa mga mag-uuma. Atong gilantaw ang asosasyon nga naay malungtarong negosyo nga nakabase sa komunidad,” added Mr. Berdos.
[This is more than just a livelihood—it’s an investment in our food system and in empowering our local farmers. Our goal is to grow this into a sustainable, community-led enterprise.]
For the members of SVFFA, the egg production project marks not only a shift in livelihood but a step toward a more resilient and self-sufficient future for their farming community. ###
