Indigenous farmers in Dumarao gain practical skills in native chicken farming through DOST’s CEST learning visit | Department of Science and Technology Regional Office VI

Posted on July 10, 2025

In pursuit of equipping indigenous peoples (IPs) from Brgy, Aglalana, Dumarao, Capiz with practical science-based knowledge to support sustainable poultry farming in their community, a learning visit on native chicken production was conducted under the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program.

The initiative, organized by the Capiz State University (CAPSU) Dumarao Satellite College and in partnership with Department of Science and Technology Region VI (DOST VI), was held at Jezra Darag Agri Trading in Tigbauan, Iloilo.Jezra Darag Agri Trading is a recognized agri-enterprise known for its success in raising the Darag native chicken breed.

Jezra Farm owner (left) gave a tour to his visitors from DOST Capiz: Ms. Juafe M. Abareles (right), Provincial S&T Director; Ms. Maryneth B. Barrios, Project Leader of CEST Dumarao from CAPSU Dumarao; along with her project staff.

The visit aimed to equip IP beneficiaries with practical knowledge on sustainable poultry farming that can be applied in their own community initiatives wherein participants observed key aspects of poultry production during the visit, including housing systems, feeding and nutrition, disease prevention, breeding techniques, and marketing strategies with insights and discussions facilitated by Jezra Darag staff and technical experts.

Ms. Maryneth B. Barrios, Project Leader from CAPSU Dumarao, emphasized that hands-on learning is essential for empowering the IP community to adopt sustainable farming practices. “This visit bridges the gap between theory and practice. Seeing a thriving native chicken enterprise in action helps our beneficiaries realize the viability of their own ventures,” she said.

Moreover, the activity included a post-tour focus group discussion for participants to reflect on their observations and identify the most relevant practices to adopt. Among the highlights were recommendations to improve poultry ventilation, follow scheduled feeding routines, apply natural disease control techniques, use selective breeding for stronger stock, and explore group marketing strategies to boost profitability.

Beneficiaries, on the other hand, expressed their appreciation for the practical exposure and highlighted the value of seeing real-world applications of native chicken production techniques. The beneficiaries will play an active role in continuing efforts to establish a sustainable native chicken enterprise in Aglalana under the CEST Project.

In the photo are Ms. Juafe M. Abareles, Provincial S&T Director of DOST Capiz (from left); Ms. Maryneth B. Barrios, Project Leader; Ms. Jenny M. Tipo and her husband, owners of Jezra Farm; along with IP community leaders Pastor Elias Valencia and Pastor Joan Palacios (right)

The benchmarking initiative did not only enriched the technical capacity of indigenous participants, but also reinforced their motivation to pursue agriculture-based livelihoods with science and innovation at the core. (LNGGebauer, MACGregorios, DOST Capiz)

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