A 25-member women’s group in Surigao del Sur has been recognized by the Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) for succeeding in their rural agriculture project.

“The United Nations Women Organization asserts that when more women work, economies grow. While this claim is broad and excessively forward, this is altogether true,” the DA-13 said in a statement issued Wednesday (Sept. 9).

DA-13 said the Belete Chicken Growers’ Association (BACGA) in the town of Bayabas, Surigao del Sur, was among the groups that received project support from the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) in the last quarter of 2019.

The chicken and egg production project was pegged at over PHP833,000 and the supplies of chicken were delivered to the group in the early part of 2020, DA-13 said.

“Initially, my members are less committed, busy with their existing livelihood. It took me some time, primarily convincing them before they understood that this project will serve as an additional source of income for all of us,” Nenita Dalayan, a farmer-entrepreneur who heads the BACGA, was quoted by DA-13 as saying.

Dalayan said that upon getting the full support of the members, they started to roll out the chicken and egg production and brought in a steady stream of income for the group.

“The egg production business was the first to give us income. From April to July this year, our group was able to earn PPH19,580 from the sales of eggs,” Dalayan said.

She also recalled the difficulties encountered during the lockdown imposed following the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, but added that the movement restrictions did not stop the group from pursuing the business.

Dalayan said the delegation of tasks also helped the group accomplish specific assignments that made the project a success.

“When the native chickens arrived, we divided ourselves into five groups. Each group is assigned on specific tasks every day,” she said, adding that an effective recording system also helped the them achieve transparency and build trust among their members.

“As the income started to come in, we designed a recording system and adopted a physical and financial Report from the SAAD coordinator in our area. All our income and expenses are recorded. We have developed a recording sheet for our sales, with details including the name of the buyer, the quantity sold, and the amount paid,” Dalayan said.

She also lauded the support of the barangay council of Balete into their project.

DA-13 said that with the financial and technical support from SAAD program, Dalayan’s group will become established entrepreneurs by the year 2022.

“At present, the group is taking their time in establishing a reputable name in the poultry industry in their locality as well as at the provincial level,” the agency said.

SAAD is a locally-funded program of the DA that aims to help lessen poverty among the marginalized sectors of agriculture and fishery sectors in the country.

Since last year, DA-13 started providing SAAD projects to different groups in the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. (PNA)