To showcase the feasibility of raising Bolinao chicken in the province, the first Bolinao Chicken Demonstration Farm was successfully launched this December 2 at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), City of Batac, Ilocos Norte.  

Eight Bolinao hens and four roosters were distributed during the launching, witnessed by persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the detainment, jail officers, and representatives from the City of Batac, the MMSU, and the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC) who also actively participated in the pre-dispersal training held after.

The demonstration farm launched is one of the two breeder houses for the demonstration models of the Project 4: Technology Transfer and Partnership with Private Sector towards Sustainable Production of Bolinao Native Chicken under the DOST-PCAARRD project on the Sustainable Production, Marketing and Utilization of Improved Bolinao Native Chicken in Ilocos Region. The other demonstration model is in Brgy. San Isidro, Naguilian, La Union, also ready for formal launching this year. Two other demonstration models is to be set this coming year.

 Pre-dispersal Training Conducted

                Sixteen PDL and four jail officers participated in the Pre-dispersal Training conducted after the launching program.  With the conduct of the activity, Bolinao Chicken Project was introduced to the participants.  Other important topics were also discussed to raise their appreciation and awareness in managing the Bolinao Chicken farm. Among the topics presented are the Characteristics of the Bolinao Chicken Strain, the Recommended Poultry Management Practices for native chickens, and Records Keeping. Hands-on training on determining common signs of illness in chicken was done at the breeder house.

The pre-dispersal training was conducted to prepare and enhance the beneficiaries’ knowledge and skills on the management practices in raising Bolinao chicken. The activity was also conducted to increase their awareness on value of this chicken and at the same time, instill the improved management practices of Philippine native chickens as recommended by PCAARRD.

It is hoped that this project will be of immense help to the PDLs in helping provide for their needs and support their families, on top of preparing them for a new life with their new knowledge and skills. 

Demonstration Farm for All

With the partnership with BJMP, the demonstration farm shall serve as a hands-on area for additional livelihood learning opportunity to help PDL establish renewed life upon their release from detainment.

It shall also serve as showcase of the economic viability of Bolinao chicken production and the further creation of a profitable enterprise following the package of technology developed for Bolinao chicken, as breeding house of Bolinao chicken in Ilocos Norte, and as production house for quality breeder Bolinao chicken stocks to breeder farms in the province and in the region.

Prior to the launching of the farm, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was set and forged between MMSU and BJMP-Batac to bind the stakeholders in the establishment and maintenance of the project. The construction of the poultry house has also already started this August this year.

BJMP-Batac was selected upon careful selection and strategic planning of the project members for several contributory factors such as 1) receptiveness of the host institution to be involved in poultry production, 2) availability of area for the establishment of the poultry house, 3) ready and available manpower, and 4) excessive kitchen refuse to augment feeding materials for Bolinao chicken.

Potential of Bolinao Chicken and the Bolinao Chicken Project 

Backyard farming, with its organically produced vegetable and livestock, continue to rise in rural communities as immediate source of cash and fresh meat for the family. Integrated farming of different crops and raising goats, sheep, cattle, buffalos, and chicken also continue to attract more families for their renewed profit introduction through improved production technologies against the adverse effects of climate change.

Philippine native chickens are the most common domesticated fowls found in most farms in the countryside. Native chicken, or the Bolinao chicken, for example, is one common to almost all rural communities as an immediate source of income for the family for their meat sold in the neighbourhood and local market. They are also preferred for the very minimal production inputs needed, their resistance to diseases, and their inherent ability to survive and reproduce under harsh environmental condition with minimal care and marginal management.

Since native chicken commands a good price in the market, levelling up its market value through value-adding and its large-scale production, including other products derived, is a challenge-accepted in view of food security and sustainability, and economic stability among ruralfolks.

The program, Sustainable Production, Marketing, and Utilization of Improved Bolinao Native Chicken in Ilocos Region funded by the DOST-PCAARRD, is a region-wide project that aims to develop a sustainable production, marketing, and profitable utilization of true-to-type Bolinao chicken. This is a joint collaboration of the different state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Region 1.

Consisting of four projects, the three other working projects are focused on the genetic, nutritional improvement, and marketing strategies and product development for Bolinao chicken with faculty-researchers and extension workers from the different SUCs.

The Project 4: Technology and Partnership with Private Sector towards Sustainable Production of Bolinao Native Chicken is geared towards maximizing the results of these three projects through effective and efficient technology transfer approach. Steering from 2018-2020, the project utilizes profiling of its target beneficiaries to understand existing practices and determine point of interventions, communication and capacity building of identified beneficiaries, and dispersal, supervision, and monitoring of Bolinao chicken to establish and serve as nucleus and multiplier farms for the sustainability of supply in selected sites in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.

(With reports from Ms. Bella Gervacio, Project Leader of Project 4)

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