The Department of Agriculture-Caraga (DA-13) has turned over a PHP2.1 million livestock project to the Manhon Agriculture Cooperative (MACO) in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, as part of its Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) program.

The project includes 1,000 ready-to-lay chickens, housing, feeds, drugs and biologics, with DA-13 Regional Technical Director Rebecca Atega and MACO Chairperson Heracleo Asares leading the ceremony Monday.

“The LEED is being implemented under the National Livestock Program of the agency, which aims to strengthen the contribution of the livestock and poultry sub-sectors in increasing the income of farmers through the provision of modules as grants,” DA-13 said in a news release.

MACO members were instructed to ensure the proper management and sustainability of the project, emphasizing its potential to benefit both the cooperative and the wider community.

Asares, in an interview on Tuesday, expressed gratitude for the government’s support.

“Egg production is profitable. We will manage it well with DA-13’s technical support,” he said.

The turnover followed similar LEED project distributions last month to farmers’ groups in Placer and Mainit, Surigao del Norte, with each receiving PHP2.1 million in support. (PNA)