Department of Agriculture (DA), headed by Secretary William D. Dar, partnered with the local government unit (LGU) of Santa Maria, Laguna, led by Mayor Cindy V. Carolino, in the implementation of the project entitled “Poultry (Free Range Chicken) Multiplier Breeder Farm” worth P5 million for the Brgy. Cueva Coffee Farmers’ Association.

This project is funded under the “Nucleus and Multiplier Breeder Farms for Poultry, Swine, and Small Ruminants Project” of the Bayanihan II Stimulus Package for Agriculture.

According to Councilor Lorna Alban, municipal committee on agriculture chairperson and project leader, this project will help coffee farmers in Santa Maria have an alternative livelihood source whenever their commodity is out of season. She also said that the climate and location of the association are highly recommended for poultry production.

“Maraming salamat po sa tuluy-tuloy na pagtulong ng Kagawaran sa mga magsasaka ng Santa Maria. Lubos po ang aking galak sa mabilis pong pagtugon ni OIC-Regional Executive Director Vilma M. Dimaculangan sa aming panawagan na magkaroon ng poultry multiplier breeder farm sa aming bayan. Hindi lamang po ang mga magkakape ng Santa Maria ang makikinabang sa proyektong ito ng DA kundi maging ang iba pang samahan ng mga magsasaka sa aming bayan,” she said.

Councilor Alban noted that this P5-million project’s construction is set to start by the last week of February or early March. She also said that aside from becoming fill-in sustenance during the off-season cropping of their commodities, this project will also ensure sustainable food production and supply in the community.

The signing of the memorandum of agreement was witnessed by Regional Livestock Program Coordinator Mr. Jerome G. Cuasay; LGU-Santa Maria officials, including Municipal Agriculture Officer Mr. Carlo Sumaria, Municipal Planning and Development Officer Engr. Monita Montales, and Administrative Officer Mr. Conrado Ong; and members of the farmers’ association. ∙ (MAP, DA-RAFIS)