The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is providing its “Itik Pinas” eggs and ducklings for its family food source and livelihood program implemented during the COVID 19 pandemic.
DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña announced in a virtual presser the distribution of day-old ducklings of 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.
“Duck (eggs) have many potentials, as these could be turned into ‘balut’, salted egg, and salted egg powder,” the DOST chief said.
A farmer who cooperated with the program has stated that her family earns ₱2,585/day from their production of balut and salted eggs.
PCAARRD executive director Reynaldo Ebora said the “Itik Pinas” breed could produce up to 256 pieces of eggs per year.
According to the DOST, 2,548 families have already benefitted from the distribution of a recorded 26,940 duck eggs in the month of March. These eggs were sourced from farmers and institutional flocks, and some of which were willingly and compassionately donated for free.
The DOST targets to start the distribution of “Itik Pinas” by July.
Under the “Manok at Itlog sa Pamayanan” initiative of the DOST – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), affected families in Regions 3, 4-A, 6, 9, 11, and 12 are being assisted by providing them with ducks and duck eggs to start new livelihoods.
In each of the six regions, ten families will be screened by proposed criteria created by the cooperating institutions in their region and will be given 50 female and 7 male day-old ducklings.
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.
The program aims to provide different livelihood options as a way to combat the negative economic and financial impact in affected communities, be it in the long- or short-term.
The Manok at Itlog sa Pamayanan initiative also has native chickens and commercial broilers and layers in its options for family livelihood. It is under the Good Agri-Aqua Livelihood Initiatives towards National Goals-PCAARRD (GALING-PCAARRD) Kontra COVID-19 program.
Another DOST initiative to support the local market and bring revenue to families is their new OneSTore City app, an online marketplace for Filipino goods.
DOST also proposed a challenge for local institutes and companies to create action plans and solutions for Filipino companies under the “new normal” and the impact of COVID.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to DOST for its initiative to assist families with the Itik Pinas livelihood program.
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