TANGUB CITY, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL — The Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center X, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office X, conducted a three-day Training on Poultry Layer Production and Management on May 19–21, 2026, at MR. DEGA Farm Learning Institute Inc..
The training gathered twenty-three (23) participants from Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Occidental, composed of seventeen (17) Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) beneficiaries and six (6) farmers. The activity aimed to strengthen the participants’ technical knowledge and practical skills in poultry layer production and management.
Jeric L. Cabatac, Agriculturist II and Livestock Focal of ATI-RTC X, led the discussion on the introduction to the chicken layer industry, highlighting the current status of poultry layer production in the Philippines and its growing economic potential as a livelihood enterprise. He also discussed the key production technologies, and recommended management practices in establishing a poultry layer farm, including proper housing design, stocking density, selection of quality pullets, and production planning. In addition, he emphasized the importance of biosecurity measures, waste management systems, and the efficient utilization of poultry manure to support environmental sustainability and farm profitability.
Owners of MR. DEGA Farm Learning Institute Inc., Mark Anthony O. Macahilo and Dr. Reggie M. Macahilo, shared their practical experiences in poultry layer farming, providing valuable insights drawn from years of farm operations. Their discussion focused on proper nutrition and feeding management strategies to optimize egg production, including feed formulation and feeding schedules. They also discussed health management practices such as disease prevention, vaccination programs, and the early detection of common poultry diseases. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of maintaining accurate farm records to monitor production performance, manage costs, and improve farm decision-making. Practical challenges encountered in farm operations, along with corresponding solutions, were also shared to guide participants in applying theory to actual practice.
Participants were also given the opportunity to visit the farm facilities, where Mark Anthony O. Macahilo facilitated a walkthrough of the poultry operation. The activity reinforced the lessons discussed during the training through the actual observation of farm practices.
On the final day, Johari Y. Tabiliran, Project Development Assistant I of the DA-RFO X Livestock Program, provided updates and guidelines on the implementation of the LEED Project to ensure that participants were well-informed about the program’s support mechanisms and requirements.
Meanwhile, Orlan D. Macapobre, one of the participants, expressed his gratitude to ATI-RTC X and the resource speakers for the three-day training. He emphasized the valuable knowledge they gained on proper poultry layer management, feeding, record keeping, and overall project management. According to him, the training would greatly help farmers ensure the success and sustainability of the poultry layer project they will receive from the government.
The training forms part of the continuing efforts of Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center X and Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office X to empower farmers and LEED beneficiaries by enhancing their capabilities in livestock-based enterprises and promoting improved poultry production systems in Northern Mindanao. (with reports from Engineer Abdul Azis Abdul Nasser)
