Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Ruminants Dr. Benjamin Albarece aims to promote the establishment of privately-led breeders for each livestock commodity to support the country’s upgrading activities for rapid population growth and enhanced productivity.
He revealed this during a brief consultative meeting with the National Dairy Authority (NDA), DA-7 Ubay Stock Farm, and DA-PCC at Ubay Stock Farm (DA-PCC at USF) on May 7, 2024, at the latter’s office.
Asec. Albarece emphasized the importance of involving the private sector in the country’s genetic improvement program, particularly in implementing a breed registry and pedigree recording system.
“This way, the genetic improvement program can expand, and more people can benefit, given that it wouldn’t be sustainable if only the government were to maintain it. At the end of the day, it boils down to UNAIP (Unified National Artificial Insemination Program),” Asec. Albarece elaborated.
He envisioned that it would be better if the government assisted in establishing the breed registry and managing the data.
He also mentioned that initial meetings had already taken place, with DA-PCC potentially taking the lead in this endeavor, considering its established registry and pedigree system.
He visited the facilities of DA-PCC at USF, NDA, and First Consolidated Cooperative Along Tanon Seaboards (FCCT), where the Bohol Silage Production and Marketing Project (PRDP-funded) is located.
Asec. Albarece also briefly discussed with the head of the Provincial Veterinary Office of Bohol, Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, the province’s best practices in dairying.
Part of their discussion involved the efforts of DA-PCC-assisted cooperatives in addressing feed shortages during this El Niño season.
“I was glad to know that silage-making is already happening here in Bohol. It is very timely, especially given the severity of the El Niño effects,” Asec Albarece said.
