Program to boost native chicken production

ILOILO CITY – A P55 million program is expected to further boost commercial production of native chickens in the Visayas.

The Central Philippine UniversityCollege of Agriculture, Resources and Environmental Sciences (CPUCARES) in Iloilo City and Department of Agriculture (DA) will soon implement the technology transfer program.

Dr. Jaime Cabarles, dean of CPUCARES, said this will address the increase in demand of native chickens among health-conscious consumers.

“Native chickens are free from synthetic chemicals, but supply in the Visayas is low,” Cabarles told the Manila Bulletin at the sidelines of the 7th DA-CPU Organic Agriculture Research Fair and Exhibit, which ends today.

The program, Cabarles said, will be replicated in selected areas in Cebu, Bohol, Aklan and Negros Occidental as part of DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRRDP).

Cabarles was one of the 2013 Republica awardees of the Commission on Higher Education for his initiatives on native chicken raising.

Meantime, Joel Somosierra, agrifair chairperson, noted that the growing interests of organically-grown food are one of the anchors of agri-tourism.

Somosierra added they are urging more farmers to open up their farms to the public to increase their income.