SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) MIMAROPA awarded 60 heads of upgraded native chicken to Sta. Fe Quarrel 1 Farmers Association to provide additional livelihood for the beneficiaries through the Livestock Program's poultry production project.

According to Roxanne Yadao, DA MIMAROPA Livestock Staff, the group will be employing a roll-over scheme wherein the chicken will be equally distributed to first 10 selected members from the association. The receiving members will raise the livestock and will be returning six (6) chicks after a year to the association which will be distributed to the members who are yet to receive livestock.

Yadao also explained that the beneficiaries, situated in Brgy. Central, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, are primarily engaged in rice production but have experience in backyard chicken raising.

“ ‘Yung [layunin ng] project ay para mabigyan ng karagdagang hanapbuhay ang mga beneficiary…pwedeng [pakinabangan ang mga manok] for meat and eggs,” she shared.

(The project aims to provide additional livelihood for the beneficiaries…the chicken can be used for meat and eggs.)

The distributed animal are one (1) month and two (2) weeks upon delivery and are bred by the DA MIMAROPA Livestock Program in Murtha Demo Farm. Members of Sta. Fe Quarrel 1, representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Office of San Jose with Municipal Agriculturist Romel Calingasan, and DA MIMAROPA Livestock Staff were present during the turnover. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA)