LIVESTOCK SUSTAINS GOOD PERFORMANCE

              The country’s livestock and poultry industry sustains its good production performance which contributed in the over-all growth of the agriculture sector.

 Department of Agriculture (DA) – Undersecretary for Operations-Livestock, Jose C. Reaὴo, said the industry is one of the active players in the agriculture sector. He recognized the National Livestock Coordinators (NLCs) during the meeting held recently in Mandaue, Cebu for the good performance of the livestock and poultry in 2014.  

He encouraged the attached agencies and bureaus like Philippine Crop Insurance Center (PCIC), National Dairy Authority (NDA), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Agriculture Training Institute (ATI), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Bureau of Agricultural Products and Fisheries Standards (BAFPS) and the DA Regional Offices to coordinate closely for the implementation of livestock and poultry programs, to include HALAL projects. 

 Joel A. Elumba, OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulatory of the DA – 7, said the areas for livestock and poultry production have gotten smaller and the population increases annually. To address this concern, farmers need to adopt the crop-livestock integrated farming sytem to ensure enough food for the populace. The visibility of barefoot technicians in the fields is crucial in strengthening extension services at the grassroots level. (Lolita A. Maramara - RAFIS)