URBAN FARMER

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BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
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Friday January 13, 2017
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THE meat of native chicken is usually preferred by consumers because of its unique taste, distinct flavor and texture, presence of nutraceutical compounds, and lower fat content.

Due to its nature as free-ranged, native chickens are generally perceived as free from antibiotics and other synthetic chemical residues.

With these advantages, a government research and development consortium based in Zamboanga City led the conduct of a two-day technology transfer activity in an effort to promote Zampen native chicken production as a source of livelihood in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The move also aims to inspire native chicken production in the region.

The purified breed of Zampen native chicken could yield more eggs annually compared to the Joloano native chicken and has lower mortality rate.

It is one of the four purified native chicken strains developed in a project, which include Darag in Western Visayas, Camarines in Bicol, and Boholano in Bohol.

The Western Mindanao Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development Consortium gathered farmers engaged in native chicken production as well as potential raisers to acquaint them on Zampen native chicken production.

Implemented by Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), the project is a component of a native chicken program entitled Purification, Improvement and Sustainable Utilization of Native Chicken Strains in Bohol, Bicol, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

It adopts the technologies and protocol developed by WMSU on the management of the native chickens from hatching, day-old, hardening, and up to the time until the birds become ready for breeding; selecting and purifying the strain; and developing the health protocol and feeding management system.

This could be another meaningful and productive farming activity that is enriched with science and technology.

The event dubbed “Zampen Native Chicken FIESTA” was initiated by the Los Baños, Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCAARRD-DOST).

FIESTA aims to facilitate the flow of technology not only to the farmers but also to the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises for them to benefit from the government’s R&D undertakings, thereby enabling them to contribute more to economic development.

Native chicken production is considered to be the most competitive and sustainable sub sector of the local poultry industry owing to its numerous advantages such as low capital investment, simple management system, and the emergence of new markets, among other advantages.

Providing additional income for farmers and known as a source of high quality meat, native chicken is considered to be an important component of the country’s rural farming system.

WMSU, as one of the implementing agency of the Native Chicken Program funded by PCAARRD, has developed a sustainable science and technology or S&T-based options to native chicken improvement and profitable utilization for rural farmers in Region 9 through development of technologies on breeding and selection, generation of pricing and marketing information and policy recommendation for the enhancement of native chicken productivity and production efficiency.

This is expected to promote the native chicken industry – capitalizing on its benefits and opportunities for everyone./PN

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