An association of farmers’ housewives in Barangay Mahayahay, Del Carmen, Siargao Island closed 2025 with significant earnings from a successful egg production project.

Supported by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program, the Malipayon ug Maugwagong Mag-uuma sa Mahayahay (M4) began receiving interventions in 2023.

“Training provided to them was divided into three sets to ensure the project is properly managed,” said Porcelito Escobal, DA-SAAD Associate Project Officer II in Surigao del Norte, during an interview Tuesday.

The 25-member group received technical training on poultry raising and egg production, alongside financial literacy and basic accounting. They also learned low-cost feed formulation to produce alternatives to commercial feeds.

Project implementation began in mid-2024 when M4 received 192 heads of ready-to-lay chicken, 110 bags of feed, and pre-fabricated cages. Business records for 2025 show the group sold 75,337 eggs valued at PHP550,702.

“Our egg production project has made fresh table eggs more accessible. Eggs are essential for our community, especially for students,” M4 chairperson Marnie Lubapis said.

Marketing efforts last year primarily targeted Del Carmen and the commercial center of Dapa.

M4 vice president Lilibeth Erong noted that the project empowered housewives by providing income to help cover daily family needs.

While the group is phasing out of the program this year due to its achievements, DA-SAAD is set to release a three-wheeled hauling vehicle valued at PHP250,000 to assist in market expansion.

“General Luna, the island’s tourism hub, is a big market for eggs. This year, we are optimistic that M4 will be able to reach this market,” Escobal added. (PNA)