In Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, the Masipag Farmers of St. Vincent have started the collection of native chickens. While the 5 POs involved in Camarines Sur have already built the chicken house for their collection. In particular, the PO in Canayonan, Tinambac, Camarines Sur has planted two (2) hectares of soybeans, part of which will be used for the feeds of the native chickens.

Meanwhile, in the Visayas, inventory and characterization activities of existing strains of chicken in the focus areas (Dao and Cabacanan-Rizal, Alimodian, Iloilo) were conducted as a take-off activity towards native chicken conservation and improvement plan. A gene pool development has been started by DASMPC in Dao and Cabacanan-Rizal in Alimodian, Iloilo. Pilot areas were also identified in the upland barangays of Cauayan and Candoni in Negros Occidental.

In Mindanao, POs in pilot areas in M'lang North Cotabato and Lantapan, Bukidnon have started to set up gene pools in their respective communities. Initial activities included levelling-off and planning with the community; trainings on free-range chicken management; building of gene pool houses for chicken; and collection of native chicken breeds for the gene pool.

Several trainings on poultry and livestock care and management had been held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in 2003-2004:

(1) Training on Livestock in April 27-30, 2003 at Philippine Carabao Center of Central Mindanao University, attended by 40 participants
(2) Livestock Improvement and Management Seminar held at Brgy. Dao, Alimodian, Iloilo last June 26-29, 2003.
(3) Gene Pool/Characterization of Native Chicken in the following provinces
o Lantapan, Bukidnon on October 11-12, 2004
o Mlang, North Cotabato on October 14-15, 2004
o Calinan, Davao City on October 1 6, 2004
o Camarines Sur, Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela in 2003

MASIPAG also participated in the Workshop on Participatory Methods for Community-Based Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources sponsored by Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan in Rajasthan, India in October 12-16, 2003. The workshop was seen as an opportunity for MASIPAG to learn firsthand from pastoral peoples in India about participatory management of animal genetic resources. Ms. Elizabeth Cruzada and Dr. Lambio attended the workshop with the support of MISEREOR.

MASIPAG also conducted a training on Animal Health Volunteers last April 19-21, 2004. The training aims to equip farmers with basic understanding and knowledge on animal nutrition and paraveterinary practices using local and farm available resources.

Dr. Criselda Battad of Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet discussed the common poultry diseases, homeopathic treatments, identification of medicinal plants used, purpose, responsible microorganisms and dosage. She also demonstrated how to prepare herbal medicines.

Professor James Cabarles of Central Philippines University, Jaro Iloilo, on the other hand, discussed the general principles on animal health and welfare including management standards of free range system, including housing, feeding, and others. He also discussed organic feed production and nutrition formulation including alternative feeds for poultry and small ruminants.