Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has launched a feed distribution initiative to support duck raisers in Pampanga, a central hub of the industry in the country.

This initiative is part of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) broader efforts to strengthen livestock farming, particularly poultry like ducks, providing more income-generating opportunities for farmers and enhancing food security.

Central Luzon, home to over half of the nation’s duck population, has consistently been a leader in both duck meat and egg production, contributing 27 percent of the national supply of duck meat and 56 percent of duck eggs.

In 2024, the region recorded a total duck inventory of 4.9 million heads, with Pampanga alone accounting for nearly 60 percent of the total.

Recognizing the challenges faced by duck raisers, particularly the rising costs of feed ingredients, the DA has introduced several support measures for the industry. These include free avian influenza testing, feed assistance, and post-harvest facilities to ensure the sector’s continued growth.

Tiu Laurel said the expected commercial availability in the country later this year should help address a health risk to Pampanga’s poultry population, including ducks and quail.

The DA chief noted that during his recent visit to Vietnam, he saw how rice farmers use ducks to supplement their income.

“This means more money for our farmers, a higher yield per hectare,” he said in a news release on Wednesday.

Under the feed assistance program, registered duck raisers in the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA) can receive between nine and 17 bags of feed, each weighing 50 kilograms. The support ranges from PHP15,000 to PHP28,000 per recipient.

To qualify, duck raisers must own at least 100 ducks, with the program capping assistance at 2,000 ducks, regardless of the number registered in the RSBSA.

Nearly 1,000 duck raisers from the fourth district of Pampanga—including those from the towns of Candaba, San Luis, San Simon, and Apalit—will benefit from this initiative, designed to help stabilize the industry and boost productivity.

He said the initiative will be fine-tuned to make it a multi-year program and expand its coverage to other parts of the country.

“Though small, this feed distribution initiative aims to provide vital support to our Kabalen in the duck industry, who are working tirelessly to help the government achieve its vision of a food-secure Philippines and an agricultural sector where farmers can earn better and improve their lives,” Tiu Laurel said. (PNA)