DA turns over P6.5-M Masbate nitrogen plant

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) turned over recently to the local government of Masbate a mini-liquid nitrogen plant for storing genetic material for cattle breeding.

The P6.5-million mini-nitrogen plant was established this month inside the Masbate Fish Complex and Bus Terminal.

Masbate, a province in the Bicol region, is known for its robust cattle industry. It aims to become a producer of organically grown beef by 2020.

The availability of liquid nitrogen is one of the logistical components  of the Artificial Insemination  (AI) Program  of the DA as it is  vital for proper storing and transporting of  animal semen.  Artificial insemination is one of the strategies  to improve the breed  of native cattle which is used for meat and dairy production.

The agriculture department also committed to release around P3 million for the establishment of an animal diagnostic laboratory in the province where semen of bulls would be examined for viability.

Proposed as locations for the laboratory are the Don Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (Debesmscat) in Mandaon  and the DA  Breeding Station  in Asid,  Masbate City.

The establishment of a liquid nitrogen plant in Masbate would significantly reduce the cost of transporting semen tanks to the province.

Masbate also has the potential to become a top producer of dairy products in the country if the breeds of milk cattle are improved, said the National Dairy Authority (NDA).

NDA administrator Grace Cenas said livestock   breeds for meat production may be crossbred with dairy breeds for superior milk production.

NDA may then buy the offspring of these breeds for lending to dairy farmers.

“And later when there are enough  dairy animals in the island, the establishment of milk  processing or dairy plants will subsequently follow,” said Cenas.