THE free-range chicken production and dispersal project of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), is boosting the income of animal raisers and their families in the province.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said the continuing initiative helped improve the livelihood of the farmers and animal raisers by 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) in Barangay San Miguel of the said town purchased an initial 520 heads of free-range chicken from the province.

The stocks were sourced from the Provincial Breeding Center and Dairy Farm in Barangay La Granja in La Carlota City in March this year.

Josephine Maguad of Hunefa 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 for P215,000.

These animals will be distributed among their individual members, she added.

PVO, meanwhile, is distributing about 500 heads of 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 provide an alternative source of income.

“The continuing free-range chicken dispersal has enabled the province to maintain its dominance as number one in backyard chicken production,” he added.