CSU-Gonzaga in partnership with Isabela State University conducts a seminar in chicken and sheep technology to capacitate fisher folks and CAMBASSS agrarian reform cooperative officials in San Jose and Cabiraoan last March 17-18, 2022.
Fifty (50) members of San Jose Fisher Folks Association, fifty (50) officials and members of CAMBASS Agrarian Reform Cooperative and five (5) members from Cabiraoan National High School attended the two-day activities.
A capacity building on upgraded chicken technology and commercialization towards rural enterprise development was discussed during the first day of the activity. Participants were taught of the breeds and characteristics of chickens, including proper housing, supplies, feeding management, brooding, growing and laying management. Caring of eggs, incubation, vaccination and alternative health management and common diseases for chickens were likewise discussed.
In the second day, a capacity building on herd management of sheep technology and commercialization towards rural enterprise development was tackled. Participants were taught of the breeds and characteristics of sheep including housing, supplies, feeds and feeding management for them. Breeding management, vaccination, alternative health management and common diseases were also tacked.
The seminar is one of the components of the extension project of CSU-Gonzaga entitled, “Development of Sustainable Livestock-Based Rural Enterprises in Cagayan Valley: A CHED-ISU-LGU-Industry Partnership in Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Development." This was made possible through the collaboration of Commission on Higher Education - Agricultural and Fisheries Education System (CHED-NAFES), CSU and ISU.
This project focuses on sheep and poultry production to be able to contribute to solve the worsening problem of livestock industry in Cagayan Valley. Chicken production could supplement the income of rural folks through its eggs and meat for sale. It also produces manure, natural compost for their backyard gardening.
The vision for extension of chicken production for San Jose Fisher Folk Association gives them new technologies to use for their management. Chicken production gain importance as it generates income and employment in the area. While the vision for extension of sheep production for CAMBASSS Agrarian Reform Cooperative gives them new technologies to use for their management. Herd management and sheep production gain importance as it generates income and employment in the area.
Through this project, CSU-ISU, CHED-NAFES and LGU will lead a home-based sheep production to encourage all households to raise sheep in their backyards.