I, Farm Boy! SOLDIER WITH P1,000 LIKES TO START A CHICKEN FARM

Early today, as I was making rounds of the farm, a young soldier and his friend showed up and asked if I could help them start their own poultry farm.

Cpl. Romnick Zapico and his friend, Johnrixy Solitario, said they have a small Lanzones farm in Barangay Singao in Kidapawan and that they were inspired by the posts I made in my Facebook page about free-range chicken farming.

So, I asked Cpl. Zanico how much was his budget for the poultry farm.

“One thousand lang kwarta ko, Sir. Pila ka manok mabakal ko,” he asked. (I only have P1,000, Sir. How many chicken could I buy?)

I looked at him and I remembered the days when I and my brothers, sons of a poor family who all love to raise chicken, wanted to acquire good breeding materials but we did not have the money.

So, I told Cpl. Zapico that his P1,000 would only be good for two pullets but they would be no good without a rooster.

Umandar ang pusong mamon ko. So, I told him that I will give him a rooster weighing over 2 kilos for free.

He also received instructions on how to take care of his chicken direct from the breeder himself.

I also gave him some biologics to make sure that his chicken will not be stressed after the trip from the farm to his place.

My cousin, Neri Sodusta, told Cpl. Zapico: “Jackpot ka. Ang sulog nga na is worth P1,000.”

I saw a big wide smile from Cpl. Zapico who profusely thanked me and promised to share whatever benefits he would get from poultry raising with his neighbors.

Deep inside me I was happy that I was able to help an aspiring chicken farmer.

Just a word of caution though: Please do not come to the farm hoping that I will be giving everybody free breeding materials.

Much as my heart tells me to do it, I simply could not because I also have to pay my workers, buy feed materials, pay for the electric bills and of course, support my family.

While I hold a high position in government, I am proud to say that I am just another government worker who happens to be a farmer trying to earn an honest keep.

Kaya ko nabigyan ng libre si Cpl. Zapico ay dahil medyo umuulan na biyaya ng Panginoon, kaya dapat lang magpasalamat.

#HindiPoLibreAngManokPinoy!

#KailanganKoRinKumita!