WESMAARRDEC spearheads Native Chicken FIESTA

The Western Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources, Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARRDEC) spearheaded the month-long native chicken FIESTA held from April 12 to May 13, 2022 at the WMSU Main Campus. This year’s FIESTA, which stands for Farms and Industry Encounters through Science and Technology agenda, was held simultaneously with two other consortia, the Western Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVAARRDEC) and the Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC). It bannered the theme “PADAYON: Sustainable Economy Amidst Pandemic through Native Chicken Technology”. FIESTA is an event-based technology transfer modality of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) that aims to promote S&T and its products towards providing competitive and profitable business ventures for the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Agriculture, Aquatic and natural resources sectors of the country. The month-long celebration focused on Techno Business, Technology to People series of forums discussing essential topics for those who are interested and are into the breeding and production. Tips and important “must-dos” on the Breeder Native Chicken and Hatchery Management were enthusiastically shared by researchers and native chicken experts from the three (3) consortia. Three (3) farmer-adapters also shared their tales on the propagation and marketing of the ZamPen native chicken. This Fiesta did not only open doors to entrepreneurs but also to food enthusiasts who presented new native chicken recipes.

The final battle for the ZamPen Native Chicken Pianggang Cooking Challenge was also conducted in WMSU College of Home Economics. The top three finalists prepared mouthwatering native chicken pianggang dishes which made it hard for the judges to choose whose cuisine tops the other. In the end, the most unique and complex dish out won the others. Overwhelmed by the success of the event, the prime mover of the event, WESMAARRDEC Director, Dr. Teresita Narvaez thanked each and every participant in contributing to this success. Quoting her in mixed emotions saying “I cannot do this alone without your help” as she payed gratitude to the partners of the event, the WMSU President, Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena, the various committees composed of some offices of the WMSU, the DOST-PCAARRD, consortium-member institutions of WESMAARDEC and its partner-consortia, media partners, local government unit officials, the farmers, and the ZamPen native chicken adapters for their support to the event. (LMP, WMSU-PAO)