In line with the overall goal of developing the Philippine signature Muscovy Duck breed, a comprehensive training on improving muscovy duck management and production in Ifugao, was organized and implemented from April 22 to 24, 2025 at the Review Center Hall of Ifugao State University (IFSU) Main Campus in Lamut, Ifugao.
The training, “Muscovy Duck Breeder Farm Management for the Sustainable Production of Breeder-Quality Ducks and Continuous Improvement of Production Performance,” aimed to build the capacities of farmers, extension workers, researchers, and other stakeholders involved in Muscovy duck production. They were trained on breeding and selection, hatchery, and farm management to enhance duck productivity and improve flock quality. They were also taught environmentally-sustainable practices to ensure long-term production viability.
This initiative is aligned with the ongoing project, “Development of Philippine Signature Muscovy Duck Breed,” which aims to develop breeding and selection protocols; establish sustainable breeding, production, and distribution systems; and characterize the phenotypic and genotypic traits of the breed that would lead to a profitable breeder and slaughter duck production enterprises. The project is led by IFSU Professor Elpidio B. Basilio, Jr.
IFSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Mary P. Caclini expressed the university’s full support for the development and improvement of Muscovy duck production not only in Ifugao but also across other regions in Northern Luzon.
Dr. Synan S. Baguio, Director of the Livestock Research Division (LRD) of DOST-PCAARRD led the Council’s training team. With him were the lecturers cum workshop facilitators: Dr. Basilio; Mr. Herald Nygel F. Bautista, University Researcher I at the Institute of Animal Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB); LRD’s Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Managers Ronilo O. De Castro, who discussed “Feeds and Feeding Systems for Muscovy Ducks” and Alfredo Ryenel M. Parungao who presented “Muscovy Duck Breed Development and Profitable Utilization.”
Other key topics covered during the training included: Breeding and Selection of Muscovy Ducks for Continuous Improvement in Production Performance; Muscovy Duck Hatchery Management; Production and Management from Brooding to Laying; and Recording Systems and Performance Evaluation.
A field visit to the Muscovy duck farms owned by two training participants enriched the participants’ knowledge from actual experiences in duck raising and how the enterprise has become a viable source of income for their families.
To further support the participants' breeding and selection efforts, a workshop was conducted where they developed their own breeding objectives tailored to their respective farm enterprises.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), along with IFSU, continues its initiatives to reach its goal of developing the Philippine signature Muscovy duck breed.