Siargao farmers’ associations reinvest egg production earnings for sufficiency
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — Gearing toward self-reliance and sufficiency, the farmers’ associations (FAs) in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, reinvested their earnings by purchasing ready-to-lay (RTL) chickens with prefabricated cages to sustain the egg production project supported by the Department of Agriculture-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program.
Makugihong Mag-uuma sa Katipunan (MMK), Active Farmers Association in Mahayahay (AFAM), and United Del Pilar Farmers Association (UDePFAss) reinvested the total amount of P292,500 to replace culled layers and continue meeting the demand for eggs in their communities. Each purchased 100-layer chickens, while Malipayon ug Mauswagong Mag-uuma sa Mahayahay (M4) and San Miguel United & Resilient Farmers (SMURF) bought 75-layer chickens, respectively.
“Being able to purchase additional layers of chickens using our own funds was a testament to our growth as an organization. Our hard work – from maintaining the poultry farm to marketing our eggs – paid off,” said MMK Chairperson Baltazar Escobia, citing the production and economic gains achieved through their SAAD-supported egg production project.
Assistant Provincial Coordinator (APC) for Surigao del Norte Porcelito M. Escobal Jr. said the initiative would help sustain the daily egg production of the FAs, especially as some of the existing chickens were already due for culling. “Their decision to buy new layer chickens ensured sustainable egg production, while operational costs and feed management remain efficient.”
He added that the layer chickens provided in 2023 have already passed their optimum egg-laying ability after three years, emphasizing that productivity and profitability go hand in hand.
UDePFAss Chairperson Annaliza T. Pascual also shared that the culled chickens would be sold within their barangay to make room for the new batch. “We are planning to sell the healthy culled chickens in live weight for meat consumption, which is another income source for the FAs.”
DA-SAAD Caraga stated that it will continue to support and guide FAs in managing production, marketing, and operations to ensure sustainable income through their community-based enterprises (CBEs), with the end-goal of making FAs self-reliant and self-sufficient soon. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DA-SAAD Caraga)
