BACOLOD CITY: The provincial government of Negros Occidental has initiated a PHP3.5-million project designed to support local farmers’ associations and civil society organizations in an effort to increase balut production. This initiative comes as part of the Itik-Pinas (Duck) Raising for Balut Production Project, which is managed by the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO).
According to Philippines News Agency, 25 groups have been identified as beneficiaries of this project, which is part of the Expanded Livestock Production and Livelihood Development Program. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who presided over the project turnover, emphasized the need to provide alternative assistance to animal raisers, as the province’s hog industry is still recuperating from losses due to transboundary animal diseases. Lacson stated that the demand for balut in Negros Occidental is nearly 1 million pieces per month.
Balut, a well-known Filipino delicacy made from incubated duck eggs, is currently sold at a regular price of PH
P35 each in the province, including Bacolod City. Third District Board Member Andrew Montelibano, who chairs the Provincial Board’s committee on food and agriculture, highlighted the significant market demand for balut and the dependency on supplies from other provinces to meet local needs. He expressed optimism that the project would enable increased local production by the following year.
The PVO outlined that the project aims to bridge the monthly supply gap of approximately 700,000 balut pieces, while also offering livelihood opportunities to communities and animal raisers impacted by transboundary animal diseases. Dr. Placeda Lemana, the provincial veterinarian, underscored the urgency of addressing the supply shortfall, hoping for the project’s success to bolster livelihoods.
The project provisions include 5,000 ducklings, 25 incubators with a capacity for 250 eggs each, and 50 bags of duck feed. Each beneficiary group will receive 200 ducklings, one incubator, and two bags of feed, distributed throug
h a conditional deed of donation. Beneficiaries are responsible for additional inputs like housing, management, and labor.
To ensure sustainability, a roll-over scheme will be implemented by the provincial government. This scheme requires recipient associations to repay in kind by providing the same number and age of ducklings from the offspring to the next beneficiary within their group.