SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — It is not just about butchering ducks for meat at a duckery and apiary in Barangay Sipulo, Bacnotan town.

For young entrepreneur Geneva S. Gañalon, the business goes beyond poultry production and into social enterprise, agri-tourism and ecological balance.

Gañalon said G’s Duckery Food Processing serves as a model for social entrepreneurship by integrating natural farming with high-value food production. The enterprise focuses on developing innovative duck-based products while maintaining ties with local farmers and promoting sustainable practices.

The farm’s approach also supports rice growers in the area. Ducks are fed high-protein and high-calcium nutrition, while their presence in rice fields helps control snail populations that typically damage crops. The setup, Gañalon said, benefits both poultry health and crop protection through cost-effective, natural means.

Beyond raising ducks, the enterprise emphasizes value-added processing to boost margins and market appeal. Duck eggs, known for their higher fat content and larger yolks compared to chicken eggs, are transformed into baked goods such as banana bread and cookies.

The richer texture of duck eggs gives these products a distinct, premium quality, allowing the business to stand out in the competitive pastry market.

The social mission of G’s Duckery is also woven into its operations. The enterprise collaborates with the Bacnotan Beekeeper Agriculture Cooperative, with an apiary located within the farm premises to strengthen the local agricultural ecosystem.

Gañalon said the business provides technical skills training and employment opportunities for marginalized sectors in the community, particularly mothers in Sipulo and out-of-school youth, helping build economic resilience at the barangay level.

By combining duck farming, beekeeping and food processing, the La Union-based enterprise shows that a small-scale agricultural venture can expand beyond raw production — turning eggs and honey into income streams while creating jobs and supporting local farmers.