The duck dispersal project for ECCD beneficiaries is one of the identified projects of the municipality of Bato, Camarines Sur under the Home and Community Food Production component of the ECCD F1K program. This project aims to increase the nutritional needs of the families through consumption of protein source of food like poultry meat, eggs and for use in complementary feeding for young children.  

The livelihood project covers 20 barangays of Bato, Camarines Sur. The distribution of ducks to ECCD beneficiaries was facilitated by the Municipal Agriculture and Nutrition Action Officers (MAO and MNAO). A turn-over ceremony was held on 11 June for the initial distribution of ducklings to five (5) barangays, namely: Barangays Sagrada, San Juan, San Rafael, Mainit, and San Miguel prioritizing those families with nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women and mothers with 6-23 months old children.

Prior to distribution of ducks, the Agriculture Office conducted an orientation to beneficiaries on how to care for the ducks including the need for a place where the ducks can freely move and lay eggs. Every beneficiary signed a contract on the Repayment Scheme, which includes the receipt of four (4) heads of ducks (three (3) female and one (1) male), and repayment of two (2) heads of ducklings (10 days old) for every head of duck (ready to lay eggs) provided to the beneficiary, after six (6) months of receiving the ducks. The 10-days old ducklings will be turned-over to the barangay nutrition committee for re-dispersal to other beneficiaries. This contract was signed by each household member who received the inputs.   (NPCReario/NOIIIValeza/PNCBetito)