IN THE bid to sustain agricultural productivity and food sufficiency efforts of the provincial government in line with its Abanse Negrense development agenda, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) will continue its animal livelihood and dispersal programs this year.

For this month, the PVO Field Unit in District 1 will distribute 400 heads of free-range chicken to various farmers associations, three in Toboso and one in Calatrava.

These are the Lakanon Minaunong Sirahe Farmers Association, Marcelo Calatrava Farmers Association Incorporated, Agrow Green Forest Farmers Association Incorporated, and Indigenous Cultural Community ATA Tribe.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said the free-range chicken stocks for dispersal were sourced from the nucleus farm at the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm (PLBCDF) in Baragay La Granja, La Carlota City.

The stocks from the provincial government-run farm have been known to contain high-quality protein and are budget-friendly especially to small-scale farmers who cannot afford to buy commercial feeds.

Decena said raising free-range chicken sourced from the PLBCDF only requires low-cost production inputs, especially in terms of housing and feeds.

“Engaging in free-range chicken production has become an alternative source of daily income among Negrenses as it does not require big financial investment,” he said, stressing that “it has become a suitable business venture at this time for emerging small-scale enterprises.”

The availability of quality genetics of free-range chicken extended by the provincial government, through the PVO, to various farmers associations is also a part of its measures to help them amid the negative impacts of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

It is also aimed at helping Negrense families by increasing their income through egg and meat production, which will also ensure food security and poverty reduction.