BACOLOD CITY – More livestock and poultry raisers in Negros Occidental have engaged in business, which could ensure steady meat supply and food security for Negrenses.
Data of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) as of Monday showed that a growing number of their veterinary farm clients are highly-inclined to engage in animal raising purposely for entrepreneurship.
“They are private individuals with the capacity to invest and have recognized the potential of livestock and poultry production as means of ensuring food security in every household. They also see this endeavor as an alternative livelihood to sustain their family income,” said Dr. Renante Decena, the provincial veterinarian.
These clients buy their original stocks from the Capitol-owned Negros First Ranch (NFR) in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Murcia, and the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm (PLBCDF) in Barangay La Granja, La Carlota City.
The increasing number of interested farmer-entrepreneurs is making headway to the new normal set-up brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the PVO said.
At present, animal supply in the province could no longer cater to the local demand as both provincial farms are unable to sufficiently accommodate breeder stocks of goat and cattle.
The PLBCDF’s average weekly production of free-range chicken is only 400 to 500 heads.
Decena said the PVO is catching up with plans to expand production facilities to cater to the demand of Negrenses, who have shifted interest to animal raising as a business.
The provincial government is also buying stocks from the recipients of the province’s animal dispersal program, he added.
The PVO has established 21 multiplier farms across the province in collaboration with the local government units (LGUs).
These facilities have become good sources in boosting poultry production with good growth potential, good laying performance, and significantly disease-resistant.
“The two provincial farms are known for producing quality breeds of poultry as well as ruminants. The PVO also commits in ensuring that other livestock and poultry breeder stocks are of high quality,” Decena said. (PNA)
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