(DOST-PCAARRD logo taken from its FB page)
MANILA -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) would be providing eggs, ducklings and chickens to six regions, to help augment food security and livelihood amid the pandemic, the agency announced on Thursday.
In a virtual presser, DOST officials said the "Manok at Itlog sa Pamayanan" project under the GALING (Good Agri-Aqua Livelihood Initiatives Towards National Goals) program of the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) and private sector groups, aims to provide food and livelihood to affected families as well as front-liners in Regions 3, 4-A, 6, 9, 11, and 12.
Since March, a total of 26,940 duck eggs were already distributed, benefiting 2,548 families, DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said.
"Duck (eggs) have many potentials, as these could be turned into 'balut', salted egg, and salted egg powder," he said.
Dela Peña also mentioned that the DOST would soon be distributing day-old ducklings. These are the "Itik Pinas" or the genetically superior breeder ducks produced by the PCAARRD in partnership with the Bureau of Animal Industry's National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center.
PCAARRD executive director Reynaldo Ebora said the "Itik Pinas" breed could produce up to 256 pieces of eggs per year.
The DOST targets to start the distribution of "Itik Pinas" by July.
Ten families per the six regions would each be provided with 50 female ducklings and seven male ducklings, according to Ebora. These families would be trained on duck production, and other things they need to know in taking care of the ducklings and use these for livelihood.
Dela Peña told the PNA that PCAARRD's cooperators per region, usually the state colleges and universities involved in the project, would recommend criteria in selecting the families.
The DOST, meanwhile, has yet to schedule the distribution of chickens, mostly native chickens, Dela Peña said. (PNA)
In a virtual presser, DOST officials said the "Manok at Itlog sa Pamayanan" project under the GALING (Good Agri-Aqua Livelihood Initiatives Towards National Goals) program of the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) and private sector groups, aims to provide food and livelihood to affected families as well as front-liners in Regions 3, 4-A, 6, 9, 11, and 12.
Since March, a total of 26,940 duck eggs were already distributed, benefiting 2,548 families, DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said.
"Duck (eggs) have many potentials, as these could be turned into 'balut', salted egg, and salted egg powder," he said.
Dela Peña also mentioned that the DOST would soon be distributing day-old ducklings. These are the "Itik Pinas" or the genetically superior breeder ducks produced by the PCAARRD in partnership with the Bureau of Animal Industry's National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center.
PCAARRD executive director Reynaldo Ebora said the "Itik Pinas" breed could produce up to 256 pieces of eggs per year.
The DOST targets to start the distribution of "Itik Pinas" by July.
Ten families per the six regions would each be provided with 50 female ducklings and seven male ducklings, according to Ebora. These families would be trained on duck production, and other things they need to know in taking care of the ducklings and use these for livelihood.
Dela Peña told the PNA that PCAARRD's cooperators per region, usually the state colleges and universities involved in the project, would recommend criteria in selecting the families.
The DOST, meanwhile, has yet to schedule the distribution of chickens, mostly native chickens, Dela Peña said. (PNA)
