FOLLOWING the first ZamPen Native Chicken FIESTA which was conducted by the Western Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARRDEC) at the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) in 2016, this year’s activity underscored the potential of the said chicken breed as a livelihood resource among the locals in the Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen).
The ZamPen native chicken is a product of purification process of “Joloano” chicken primarily farmed in 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).
The Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA), as a DOST-PCAARRD technology dissemination platform, is vigorously pushing the promotion of the ZamPen Native Chicken through the event.
The Native Chicken ISP describes its industry targets and pinpoints the aspects where S&T can make a difference.
The ISP on Native Chicken aims to develop four native chicken strains – Camarines, Darag, Boholano, and ZamPen – to improve their profitability for rural farmers in Regions 5, 6, 7, and 9, respectively.
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 as a result, have also increased the number of slaughter native chicken from 20 to 55 head per hen per year.
Together with ZamPen Native chicken, other commodities and technologies were promoted through a business forum during the event.
The potential of the 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 said project is a joint undertaking of the WMSU and San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF).
Under the project, at least 30 qualified inmates in the minimum security were trained and employed in the farm.
These inmates are scheduled to be released within two years.
Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, acting executive director of the DOST-PCAARRD, keynoted the ZamPen Native Chicken Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda.
Ebora affirmed the DOST-PCAARRD’s commitment to continue its support on programs and projects on the council’s focused commodities with its partners, especially the state colleges and universities and the local government units.
DOST- PCAARRD vowed to continue to develop and promote the adoption of science-based know how and tools that will enable the agricultural sector to raise its productivity and alleviate poverty, especially in the countryside. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
