ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, November 29, 2025 — The Litalip Farmers Association (FA) from Jose Dalman, Zamboanga del Norte, reported a total gross income of Php 720,689 from selling 93,795 eggs produced from March to October of this year.
The group, composed of 25 members, is a newly identified beneficiary of the Department of Agricullture–Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Phase 2 Program. In March, the association received the Layer Chicken–Egg Production Project.
This livelihood assistance emerged as a result of the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), which highlighted the need for fresh and affordable food in the community. The FA received 10 modules or 480 caged layer chickens, along with two months’ supply of feeds, other biologics, and a wheelbarrow.
Prior to receiving the interventions, the members underwent capacity building and organizational management training, as well as specialized training on layer chicken–egg production to fully equip them for sustainable operations.
Upon the project’s implementation, the association organized themselves into seven groups, each taking turns in tending the poultry everyday — from feeding and cleaning to harvesting and sorting eggs by size. Since the water source is located some distance from the farm, members exert much effort to ensure the chickens remain well-hydrated.
“Ang pinaka problema namo diri kay ang tubig, kay kamulo pa mi’ng ga proseso sa mga papel para maka himo mi og atabay. Pero ang mga miyembro grabe ka kugi mag sigeg hakot ug tubig,” said Litalip FA President Isabelita Maata.
(Our only problem here is access to water because we are still processing the papers to allow us to make a deep well. But the members are very hardworking—those assigned tirelessly fetch water from the source to the farm.)
Aside from the challenge in water access, the association smoothly maintains poultry operations. Their basic knowledge and skills in chicken care and record-keeping have helped the project thrive, earning regular customers who purchase eggs directly from the farm.
“Ang amoang harvest sa poultry nga halos 3,000 ka itlog kada semana, perming mahurot kay naay duha ka mga dagkong tindahan gikan ang mokuha diri sa poultry, dayon igo rapud ang sobra para sa among komunidad,” Isabelita shared.
(Our weekly harvest of nearly 3,000 eggs always sells out because two large stores regularly buy from the farm, and the remaining supply is enough to serve our community.)
When asked about the impact of the SAAD program during the recently conducted farmers’ year-end assessment, Isabelita emotionally recounted how the project has improved their community’s wellbeing:
“Ang mga tawo diri sa Litalip, ignorante og presko ug barato nga itlog kay kada moadto mi og sentro, ang among mapalit mga karaan na, usahay pag buakon, baho na. Kani nga proyekto dili lang ang mga miyembro ang natabangan, kon dili ang komunidad diri sa Litalip,” she said.
(The people here used to be unaware of fresh, affordable eggs because the eggs we could buy in town were old and sometimes smelled bad when cracked. Now, we are assured that our children have fresh and nutritious food. This project has benefited not only the members but the whole community.)
Currently, the association maintains Php 303,571 in the bank and Php 39,000 cash on hand, allocated for feed procurement.
Looking ahead, the Litalip Farmers Association remains hopeful for even greater success and long-term sustainability. With their continued hard work, strong teamwork, and unwavering commitment to the project, they aim not only to maintain their current gains but also to further improve their livelihood and strengthen their role in providing fresh and nutritious food for their community. ###
Writer: Aimee Lou D. Madjus, DA-SAAD ZamPen Information Officer
