DA-SAAD BOOSTS CORDILLERA LIVELIHOODS WITH READY-TO-LAY CHICKEN DISTRIBUTION IN 2025
BAGUIO CITY
The Department of Agriculture–Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program has made significant progress in 2025, especially in the Cordillera region, with poultry livelihood projects at the forefront of its efforts. One of the most notable accomplishments this year is the large-scale distribution of ready-to-lay chickens to farmers’ associations in Abra, Mountain Province, and Kalinga. Abra received the largest allocation among these provinces. In Abra, 2,650 ready-to-lay chickens were distributed to 11 associations. Each group
received 100 heads, complete with poultry cages, housing, and supplies, enabling immediate egg harvest and income generation.
Mountain Province and Kalinga also benefited, each receiving 235 ready-to-lay chickens. These interventions are helping to build sustainable, community-based enterprises tailored to local needs and market opportunities. The SAAD program is anchored in a demand-driven approach. As assistant operations manager Ronan stated, “We are demand-driven. Based on the demand of the community, that’s what they will produce. Nothing will go to waste.” This strategy ensures that projects are developed in close consultation with beneficiaries, aligning production with actual community demand and preventing unnecessary surplus or waste.
SAAD’s comprehensive support includes training, technical assistance, and needs assessments before project turnover. This builds the capacity of beneficiaries to manage their projects effectively and sustainably. The program also prioritizes families and associations living at or below the poverty threshold, focusing on 5th and 6th class municipalities with high poverty incidence, ensuring support reaches those most in need. Years, allocation to SAAD program in Cordillera amounted to more than P100 million Despite early successes, challenges such as heat stress and feed quality have emerged.
“In Abra, about 600 hens died due to high temperatures, and initial feed issues caused soft-shelled eggs, which were resolved through
supplementation”. Ronan stated. This highlights that, despite substantial resources provided-such as cages, feeds, and technical support-poultry projects require ongoing management, careful monitoring, and adaptation to climate and local conditions to ensure success.
Jon Lloyd Yogyog/ UB Intern
