Free-range chicken production, dispersal boost Negocc families
THE free-range chicken production and dispersal project of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), is boosting animal raiserfamilies in the province.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said the continuing initiative helped improved the livelihood of the farmers and animal raisers through one, increasing their income.
Decena said egg and meat production also contributed to ensuring food security and reducing poverty among Negrenses.
“The positive impact of the government’s project is reflected in the accomplishment of a group of 30 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in Murcia,” he added.
Under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the members of Humayan Nena Farmers Association (Hunefa) at Barangay San Miguel of the said town purchased an initial of 520 heads of free-range chicken from the province.
The stocks were sourced from the Provincial Breeding Center and Dairy Farm at Barangay La Granja in La Carlota City in March this year.
Josephine Maguad, of the said association, said that engaging in free-range chicken production has inspired their members.
On April 30, they purchased an additional 4,300 heads of free-range chicken amounting to P215,000.
These animals will be for distribution among their individual members, she added.
PVO, meanwhile, is distributing about 500 heads free-range chicken per week to different animal raiser-beneficiaries in the province under the Negros First Animal Livelihood Program.
Decena said it will benefit thousands of rural households as it will serve as alternative source of income.
“The continuing freerange chicken dispersal has enabled the province to maintain its dominance as number one in backyard chicken production,” he added.*