THE Western Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARRDEC) recently held a two-day Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) promote the ZamPen Native Chicken.
Held at the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), this year’s FIESTA promotes the ZamPen Native Chicken for the second time, underscoring the potential of the said chicken breed as a livelihood resource among the locals.
The ZamPen native chicken is a product of purification process of the “Joloano” chicken which is primarily farmed in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
The project, which seeks its development, is part of the Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) on Native Chicken, which is initiated by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
Focusing on 34 different agricultural commodities, each of the ISPs describes its targets in the industry and pinpoints the aspects where S&T can make a difference.
The ISP on Native Chicken aims to develop four native chicken strains (Darag, Camarines, Boholano, and ZamPen) to improve their profitability for rural farmers in Regions 5, 6, 7, and 9.
As products of careful research, these four strains of native chicken are characterized with a more uniform physical appearance, predictable performance, and consistent product quality.
The purification resulted in higher production performance in terms of age and weight, age at point of lay, eggs produced per hen, average egg weight, hatchability, plumage uniformity, and survival rate of breeder chickens based on recent studies.
Having an improved average egg production performance from 100 to 120 eggs per hen per year, these breeds have also increased the number of slaughter native chicken from 20 to 55 head per hen per year.
The potential of ZamPen native chicken in providing sustainable livelihood to rural communities in the Zamboanga Peninsula is seen in the results of the project Evaluation of the Sustainability and Profitability of ZamPen Native Chicken Production as a Source of Livelihood in Rural Communities.
The project is a joint undertaking of the WMSU and the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm.
Under the project, 30 qualified inmates at the minimum security of the facility were trained and employed in the farm.
Together with ZamPen Native chicken, other commodities and technologies were promoted through a business forum.
These include the Itik Pinas production, rubber root trainer technology, and mushroom production.
The fora were supplemented with a technology matching/consultation.
It aims to better equip interested takers of the technology with knowledge on the commercial potential of the technology at hand, its profitability, including management and production options.
WESMAARRDEC also holds ancillary activities to promote the agricultural commodities being showcased in the event, such as a media conference, poster making contest, photography contest, and an exhibit called “Tiangge na WMSU.” To further promote the use of ZamPen Native Chicken, a cooking contest dubbed “Cucina a la ZamPen Native Chicken,” which was participated by reputable restaurants and hotels in Zamboanga City, was included in these activities. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
