During the training proper, participants had the opportunity for an actual poultry farm visit and hands-on demonstration on feed formulation. Here, Mr. Bhal Cabrera of Cush Prime Ventures gave some pointers and tips on the proper feeding and raising of free range chicken.
Bacolod, Lanao del Norte---“Dako kaayo ang akong pasalamat nga naapil ko, og daghan ang akong nakat-onan ania nga training. Tungod ani nadugangan ang akong kaalam uban nilang Dr. Budjie; Sir Dodong; ug Sir Bhal. Salamat kaayo sa inyong pagsakripisyo ninyo namong tanan. Manghinaot ko nga naa pay next time nga training dinhi sa Queensland. Ug salamat sa pagtudlo sa organic nga pamaagi kay among maaply sa among pang-adlaw-adlaw nga panginabuhi ug alang sa among mga kabataan..thank you once again”(I am very grateful to have been a participant of this training and that I have learned much. And because of this, I have more knowledge through the expertise of Dr. Budjie, sir Dodong, and sir Bhal. Thank you so much for bearing with us. We hope that there will be more trainings to come here at Queensland. And thank you for teaching us organic ways and means that we can apply in our daily farming lives as young farmers. Thank you once again.), Angelyn G. Mandreza of P2, Demologan, Bacolod said. Angie was one of the 20 participants who attended the recently concluded Training on Organic Free-Range Chicken Production.
The said training was held at Queensland Herbs & Tourism Farm with Agriculturist II Javier P. Andalan as the project officer. Out of the 20 participants, only two has attended ATI previous trainings. The rest of the 18 participants were first timer. Some of the participants are retirees and stranded OFW.
Despite observing the new normal in this time of pandemic, ATI as the lead agency in agriculture and fishery extension services, continue to serve and deliver quality services to various stakeholders. It encompasses extension modalities like learning sites that can be venue and source of technology for trainings and seminars given to the farmers based on their needs.
It also helped that there is a growing market of chemical-free products, which include organically grown or free-range chicken. Indeed, increased awareness of the health benefits these products greatly attributed to the increase in market opportunity.
The training on free-range chicken raising intends to help improve their production. Participants were equipped with the knowledge on improved basic practices of chicken raising from breed selection to farm management. Aside from knowledge & skills, after training extension support will be provided by ATI in support to the memorandum from the office of the Department of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar dated March 31, 2020 and reiterated on April 14, 2020: Refocusing programs/activities to sustain food security in the country amid covid-19.
The 20 participants who attended the training composing of farmers, retirees, OFW, and LSA/SPA operators/representative are expected to raise organic free-range chicken in their respective farms. (with reports from Javier P. Andalan, Agriculturist II)