Duck farming in Central Luzon gets big boost

ITIK PINAS — a genetically superior breeder duck developed in a project conducted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology — got a big boost in time when demand for duck products and eggs is growing.

Due to high demand for duck eggs and duck meat products, there is a need to focus on duck farming to increase production, said Jean Karla Julian, assistant professor 2 in the College of Agriculture in Central Luzon State University (CLSU) which will undertake the promotion of Itik Pinas.

Duck farming ranks second in the country in terms of egg and meat production.

Itik Pinas (IP) was developed to address concerns about the quantity, quality and consistency of duck products in the country.

Julian noted that IP features consistent product quality, predictable performance, and higher egg production compared to native Pateros duck.

It includes pure lines known as IPItim and IP-Khaki, and a commercial hybrid line called IP-Kayumanggi.

She cited that IP-Itim and IP-Khaki produce an average of 257 eggs per duck per year while IP-Kayumanggi has 266 for the same time frame, which are suitable for balut and salted eggs.

According to Julian, IP presents a lucrative opportunity for income generation, catering to the high demand for duck products in the market and adapts well to the local climate, exhibits disease resistance, and requires low maintenance, making it more profitable.

In her calculation, when one invests in feeding for 22 to 23 weeks with money going out, in about three to four months, the investor can recover the expenses during the growing period.

“So, all the expenses during the growing period, the three to four months of laying duck eggs, can cover the costs,” Julian added.

Farmers interested in adopting IP may coordinate with CLSU for authentic stocks and comprehensive guidance on duck farming.