22/08/2026
Eggs-tra Income Training Empowers Rosario Farmers Through Duck Raising, RTL Chicken Management, and Egg Processing
ROSARIO, LA UNION โ The Local Government Unit of Rosario, through the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, in partnership with the Department of AgricultureโAgricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), successfully conducted the โEggs-tra Income: Training on Duck Raising, Ready-to-Lay (RTL) Chicken Management, and Value-Added Egg Processingโ on August 18โ20, 2026, at Happy Hall, LGU Rosario, La Union.
The three-day training aimed to equip participants with practical knowledge and skills to create additional income and sustainable livelihoods. The activity drew 25 participants: 15 P4MP members and 10 Barangay Nutrition Scholars.
The training covered essential topics on duck-raising fundamentals, RTL chicken feeding and health management, hands-on processing of balut and salted eggs with proper food safety and sanitation practices, and agri-based entrepreneurship, costing, pricing, and basic marketing strategies.
The activity featured resource speakers Dr. Alicia Ellorin, Dr. Janice Diaz-Usi, and Sir Clarence M. Catambing, who shared valuable insights and practical techniques to help participants develop their own livelihood ventures in the agricultural sector.
During the opening program, Atty. Bellarmin A. Flores II, Municipal Mayor, emphasized empowering communities through knowledge and skills rather than providing temporary assistance alone.
โTeach them how to fish, not just give them a fish,โ he said, highlighting the importance of building self-reliance among farmers and community members.
For participant Grace Flores, the training provided hope and new opportunities, especially for farmers from areas with limited agricultural resources.
"Dagdag kita, dagdag experience, lalo na sa amin na taga-Bued. Dahil wala kaming tubig, nahihirapan kaming magtanim at maghanap ng kabuhayan. Malaking tulong ang programa ng DA-ATI at LGU dahil nabigyan kami ng bagong oportunidad. Masaya kami na isa kami sa napagkalooban ng training na ito," she shared.
Meanwhile, Municipal Agriculturist Dr. Fay G. Baniqued encouraged participants to turn their learnings into meaningful action and ensure the project's sustainability.
"Huwag lang nating itago ang mga napag-aralan. Gamitin natin ito para magkaroon ng magandang impact ang pagpunta ng ating mga resource speaker. Hindi lang ito dapat salitaโkailangan natin itong i-work out para ma-sustain ang project na ito," she said.
Dr. Baniqued acknowledged that although the training started with a limited budget, its goal is to create greater impact by developing livelihood opportunities and potentially making Rosario a source of quality balut and salted egg products in La Union.
During the closing program, Dr. Janice Diaz-Usi expressed her gratitude to the Municipality of Rosario, particularly the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist and its team, for spearheading the activity and providing an avenue to share their expertise with local farmers.
She encouraged participants to share and apply what they learned beyond the training venue.
"Sana huwag po maputol sa loob ng kwartong ito ang ating mga natutunan. Kailangan po sa sektor ng agrikultura ang mga 'chismosa' at 'marites'โhindi para sa tsismis, kundi para ipakalat ang mga natutunan at makatulong sa iba," Dr. Usi shared.
She emphasized that agricultural initiatives today are investments for future generations, saying: "Ang ginagawa natin ngayon ay para mas marami pa tayong mapakain at pakakainin.Kaya tulungan po natin ang isaโt isa. Ang academe at ang mga working team ng LGU ay handang tumulong at sumuporta sa ating mga magsasaka."
Dr. Usi also reminded participants to remain hopeful despite challenges and failures.
"Huwag po tayong mawalan ng pag-asa sa bawat bagsak at pagkakamaling nagagawa. Tingnan natin ito sa ibang perspektiboโhindi lahat ay masama; minsan ito ay biyaya para mas pagbutihin pa natin," she added.
She highlighted the importance of agriculture in everyday life, encouraging everyone to appreciate every small achievement and continue working toward progress.
"Maliit man o malaki ang ating nasimulang kabuhayan, ituring natin itong achievement at accomplishment na dapat ipagpasalamat. Hindi magtatagal, lalaki rin at gaginhawa rin tayo," she said.
The Eggs-tra Income Training reflects DA-ATI and LGU Rosario's continuing commitment to strengthen farmersโ capacities, promote livelihood development, and create sustainable agricultural opportunities for the community.
From knowledge comes opportunity. From opportunity comes sustainable livelihood.
Congratulations to all participants of the Eggs-tra Income Training!
