By Mario Casayuran
Sen. Cynthia A. Villar said Saturday that innovation and new techniques are key factors to further boost the native animal industry.
Villar, chairwoman of the Senate agriculture and food committee, stressed this as she highlighted the importance of training programs to animal breeders and producers in improving current systems.
Senator Cynthia Villar
(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Animal breeders and producers need to update their skills and modernize their methodologies to be able to keep up with changing supply and marketing demands,’’ she said.
“Modern times call for new approaches and fresh ideas to make sure that supply and demand are on the same level. Training programs on various income-generating undertakings are one of the best venues where innovation takes center stage and small businesses learn how to improve their crafts,’’ she stressed.
Villar made these remarks during a recent training program for trainers in native animal production to take into heart what they have learned as she stressed that these would be useful in boosting the productivity of breeders and in ensuring the quality of their produce.
Some 50 native animal breeders attended the training program, which was a joint offering of the Villar SIPAG and the National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center under the Bureau of Animal Industry (BPI). The event was held at the Villar SIPAG Farm School in Bacoor City, Cavite.
Participants to the two-day event were briefed about the Philippine Native Animal Development Program and were likewise taught Native Chicken Production and Management, Native Duck Production, and Management, Native Pig Production, and Management, Natural feeds for Native Animal, Prospects and Marketing of Native Chicken and Ducks, and Salted Egg Making.
The lady senator emphasized that by the end of the training, the breeders from the National Capital Region, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Bacoor, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon learned new techniques that are expected to help them increase their production and at the same time, encourage them to engage in other income-generating activities to fully harness the benefits of the native animal industry.