DA chief has high hopes for livestock industry

MANILA, Philippines - Agriculture Secretary Bernie Fondevilla has high hopes for the livestock industry this year and beyond due to its vast export potentials, increasing demand in the local market for processed meat products, and the entry of new players which are expected to invigorate the domestic industry.

According to Fondevilla, export potentials included the sale of hogs and pork products to other Asian economies, and Halal goat, chevon meat and processed products to Middle East countries and other Islamic states.

Fondevilla also pointed out that domestic demand is growing for semi-processed and processed beef, pork and chicken because of the increasing population, the rising number of local and foreign tourists in highly urbanized areas, and the growing number of hotels, restaurants and other commercial institutions in Metro Manila and other major cities in the country.

The DA chief further cited the fact that San Miguel Foods Inc. is intensifying its export of chicken meat and semi-processed poultry products, while Universal Robina Corp. has entered the retail market for broiler chicken through its “Super Saver” brand being sold in Robinsons supermarkets.

“There is also an opportunity for the government in the national to the local government level to develop more demand-driven rather than supply-driven comprehensive livestock programs for the entire animal industry that are interlinked with each other—from input supply to production, to processing, to marketing and consumption of livestock and poultry meat and meat products,” Fondevilla said.

He noted that the livestock sector still has room for growth as the Philippines has maintained its status as an avian flu-free country and has been able as well to prevent a recurrence of the dreaded Foot and mouth diseases (FMD).

This year, Fondevilla said, the BAI would continue its genetic resource improvement program for cattle and small ruminants.

The agency would also sustain the male breeder loan program through the improvement in collection of repayments and strict monitoring and evaluation.

The DA, Fondevilla said, plans to strengthen and upgrade BAI Production Centers through continuous provision of quality stocks and equipment, rehabilitation of facilities and development of improved feed resources and nutrition and human resource development.

The BAI, the DA chief said, would continue to support and complement the DA’s programs on hunger mitigation, climate change and other environmental concerns by generating and applying modern technologies on breeding and selection, improved feed resources and nutrition, animal wastes management, and improved utilization of meat, edible and non-edible animal by-products.