Support system for expanded artificial insemination launched

The support system for the expanded AI (artificial insemination) program was formally launched at the Philippine Carabao Center, Department of Agriculture (PCC-DA) during its 14th anniversary celebration recently.

Dr. Kazuyuki Tsurumi, country representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization, distributed liquid nitrogen (LN2) mother tanks to representatives of local government units (LGUs) during a field day, which was part of the anniversary celebration.

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap distributed LN2 tanks to village-based AI technicians trained by PCC during a recent visit to the PCC headquarters. He also turned over to the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian of Nueva Ecija a van equipped with LN2 storage container that would be used for the distribution of liquid nitrogen to village-based AI technicians.

The mother tanks will be used for storing large amounts of quality semen of genetically superior Murrah buffaloes. Technicians get their supply of quality semen from the mother tank and store it in their field tanks as they go around the villages.

Part of the AI support system is the establishment and provision of facilities to partner-implementers of the program, particularly the installation of efficient LN2 distribution system including depots, vehicles, mother and field tanks.

Through PCC in collaboration with the Bureau of Animal Industry and different LGUs nationwide, the DA started to extend the coverage of the AI program and improve its efficiency. The ultimate goal is to increase the dairy herd population of the Philippines, particularly dairy buffaloes that will be the source of more income and new jobs resulting from carabao-based dairy enterprises.

In the past, the extent of national AI coverage has not gone beyond five percent of the total breedable female carabaos and cattle, PCC executive director Dr. Libertado C. Cruz said. It was only in recent years that the output improved as a result of the improvement of LN2 distribution rather than an increase in the number of technicians.

Likewise, a good number of LGU AI technicians remained inactive after their training due to lack of AI support mechanism, such as LN2 field tanks and sustained supply of LN2.

Dr. Cruz said that in the past three years, trials at PCC on the development of village-based technicians proved a better option. These private technicians charge fees for their AI services and, hence, do not depend on salaries from the government. An added advantage is that these technicians are readily available to the farmers in the villages at all times compared to LGU technicians who report to the municipal office.

Earlier in 2006, the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) allocated P100 million for the expanded AI program, believing that pushing dairy buffalo development can have a significant impact on rural farming families.

The expanded AI program is intended to enhance efforts towards herd build-up and support the government’s bid in reducing import dependency on milk and dairy products. It is one of the government’s responses to the country’s need for more highly productive milking animals to boost the local dairy industry in order to meet increasing demand for milk and milk products among Filipinos.

Greater local milk production will also help minimize the outflow of foreign exchange amounting to nearly $500 million a year.

Since its inception in January 2006, the expanded AI program has trained 202 AI technicians throughout the country. Of this number, 172 are village-based while 29 are from LGUs and one is private practitioner. The program intends to train in three years 2,000 village and coop-based technicians who will conduct massive AI activities for the production of dairy-type buffalo crossbreds.

Each of these technicians will be provided semen of genetically superior Murrah buffaloes and LN2 field tanks in which the semen will be stored.

The PCC has already activated its five regional AI training centers nationwide for the training of AI technicians.

Likewise, five L300 vans that will be used to distribute LN2 to village-based AI technicians were bought already. An additional five units are scheduled to be bought.

Moreover, LN2 depots will be established following the existing system at the PCC headquarters in coordination with DA regional field units and LGUs in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Bicol, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Bohol. – S. Ma. Pablico and Minda Diloy