Circular Economy in Action: A Systems Thinking Analysis of Chicken Production and Consumption in the Philippines

This research examines the sustainability of chicken production and consumption in the Philippines through a systems-thinking perspective with the integration of the circular economy principles. Chicken is a vital protein source in Filipino diets and with its growing demand, comes the intricate challenges within the environmental, economic, and social sustainability dimensions. The study utilized a qualitative analytical approach, employing the use of SWOT and Strategic Factor Analysis, to evaluate the current status of both the industrial and backyard poultry settings. Crucial findings emphasize the following factors: the level of dependency on imported feed, improper waste management, erratic animal welfare practices, and constrained support for organic production as major barriers to sustainability. The report prescribes multifaceted and systems-based solutions such as investing in sustainable feed alternatives like insect protein, upcycling chicken wastes into organic fertilizers, augmenting animal welfare situations, and empowering small farmers through financial, knowledge and, methodological support. The research proposes the mobilization of the community through educational campaign mechanisms and reinforcement of sound policy frameworks to uphold responsible consumption and improve stakeholder accountability. Highlighting the importance of an encompassing, collaborative and compelling stakeholder approach to address the challenges emerging from both the production and consumption dimensions, the study provided recommendations to synergistically implement initiatives that are crucial in creating a more resilient, equitable and sustainable Philippine chicken industry.