If there's one thing that duck raiser Renato "Ka Rene" Ramos can share from his rich 22-year experience to aspiring entrepreneurs who aim to enter the breeding business, it's that they need to learn the science behind raising them.
And in that science, the country is abundant. There is a research program by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) called ItikPINAS.
Funded by DOST-PCAARRD in collaboration with the BAI-NSPRD, National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center (BAI-NSPRDC) the project sought for the genetic improvement and development of the signature Philippine duck breed.
Through it, improved lines of mallard duck gained popularity among duck raisers nationwide for its high egg production and consistent egg weight suitable for balut and salted egg production.
Ramos, a former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), returned to the country in 1999 and later took part in the business of duck farming. He was later introduced to the ItikPINAS program after attending a seminar in Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija back in 2013. The event allowed him to become one of the owners of the ItikPINAS multiplier farms.
Despite facing challenges brought by typhoons, disease outbreaks and the Covid-19 pandemic, Ramos managed to endure and get through those critical moments.
The project adopted the pyramidal structure of the breeding program to distribute the ItikPINAS to the stakeholders. In this structure, there are a relatively small number of nucleus breeders which produce purebred stocks of IP Itim and IP Khaki for a larger number of multiplier farms who in turn produce these animals for commercial or small scale duck raisers.
Ramos is thankful for the assistance and support of DOST-PCAARRD and BAI- NSPRDC in conducting several seminars and training for ItikPINAS production. Through this, he is now known as one of the legitimate suppliers of ItikPINAS in the Philippines. He currently supplies ItikPINAS to many government agencies and the private sector.
Ka Rene was recently featured in the Native Animals Fair of DOST-PCAARRD.