Unfortunately, Purita passed away before her dreams for Puring Farms could be realized. The 2.2 hectare farm located in Barroc, Tigbauan is topographically ideal for inland fishpond, orchard and crops but it was later renamed to Jezra Darag Farm as Johnnar focused on growing his initial stock of 50 chicks. The farm initially produced bangus or milkfish but it proved to be quite unsustainable due to manpower challenges despite the good revenue generated from it. Likewise, a piggery venture also proved to be unsustainable due to lack of manpower.
In 2016, Johnner attended a forum on Darag Native Chicken at West Visayas State University and was immediately enamored by the idea of raising this particular type of chicken for the family farm. As a beginner with obvious lack of know-how, he experienced the first setback of losing 70% of his first stock. Despite additional setbacks, he didn’t give up but continued to buy ready-to-lay hens from various sources. One major problem he experienced is that sometimes the stocks he would buy don’t end up being pure Darag native chickens. Johnner credits Dr. Synan Baguio, officer-in-charge of the Livestock Research Division of PCAARRD as one of the people who encouraged him to continue with Darag raising despite the challenges and singles out the Magna Carta of Small Farmers as the government’s tangible support to Darag farmers like him in the region.
For entrepreneurs like Johnnar who want to go into Darag native chicken business, they may contact University Extension and Development Center to avail of free scheduled trainings.
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