September 19, 2020

Gov't distributes US$27.7k worth of native chicken to farmers in W. Visayas, Philippines

Twenty-four farmers' associations (FAs) in the provinces of Negros Occidental and Antique in the Western Visayan region, Philippines, were the beneficiaries of PHP1.34 million (US$27,640) worth of free-range native chicken from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

They also received biologics and chicken feed as part of the chicken production project, which is funded under the DA's 2020 budget, SunStar Bacolod reported.

As counterpart to the project, the beneficiaries will provide appropriate housing for the native chicken stocks. They are also urged to insure their project with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. so they can avail themselves of indemnification in case of mortalities due to natural calamities or disease outbreak, as per report.

Dominador Marquez, focal person for Special Area for Agricultural Development programme in  Western Visayas, said that "if the beneficiaries will provide the proper care and management, the free-range chickens will undoubtedly multiply in the coming months."

Christopher Casilano, president of one of the farmers' associations, described the project as a big help to their members especially during this pandemic.

Native chicken production is seen to address the demand for poultry meat in the two provinces as the Christmas season nears.