𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐭𝐢𝐤𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐜 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬

𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐭𝐢𝐤𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐜 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬

Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) President Dr. Silverio Ramon DC. Salunson welcomed farmer-participants from various municipalities of Tarlac and conveyed his strong message of support during the opening of the Training on ItikPINAS: Mallard Duck Production and Enterprise Development for Smallholder Farmers held on March 24–25, 2026 at the TAU- Farmers’ Training Center. Emphasizing the importance of empowering grassroots communities, he underscored the University’s commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture through capacity-building initiatives that directly benefit local farmers.

The training, spearheaded by the Department of Extension and Training under the guidance of their Director; Dr. Agnes C. Perey, addressed the pressing challenges faced by smallholder duck raisers, including low productivity and limited technical knowledge. By introducing ItikPINAS, a genetically improved Philippine Mallard duck known for its higher egg production and efficiency, the program equipped participants with essential knowledge on housing systems, proper management practices, feeding, health and nutrition, biosecurity, and egg handling, alongside discussions on the current status of the duck industry and basic enterprise analysis. 

Complemented by a field visit to actual ItikPINAS farms situated in Tarlac City, Tarlac, and Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, the training provides hands-on learning opportunities that strengthen participants’ confidence in adopting the technology. 

The initiative ultimately reinforced TAU’s role in translating research into community impact enhancing farmers’ productivity, increasing income potential, and fostering sustainable, community-based duck enterprises across Tarlac.