BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
The income of animal raisers in Negros Occidental increased by about 13.7 percent last year compared to 2019.
Provincial veterinarian Renante Decena said that despite the pandemic, raisers earned P3 million last year from P2.6 million profit in 2019.
The substantial increase was primarily attributed to the sale of live animals, like sheep and cattle, amounting to P1.2 million, Decena said, and noted an increasing number of farmer-entrepreneurs interested in making serious headway to the new normal set-up brought by the pandemic, seeing the potential of livestock and poultry as alternative livelihood in sustaining family income.
Decena added that the income came from the sale of free range chicks/chicken, dairy cattle, dairy products, liquid nitrogen, pekin ducks, dairy trainings, eggs, and farm waste/manure.
The Provincial Veterinary Office also noted that farm income results suggest that products and services catered to and rendered by the provincial farms are essential and highly patronized by partner stakeholders, like local government units, associations, private individuals, and neighboring provinces.
The two provincial farms managed by the PVO – the Negros First Ranch in Sta. Rosa, Murcia, and the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm in La Granja, La Carlota City – were able to reach their targets despite challenges encountered last year due to lengthy lockdowns brought by the Covid pandemic.
Last year, the province was able to launch the “Abanse Negrense” cows’ fresh milk and yogurt ice cream with mixed fruits, produced and processed at the PLBCDF, and was able to provide bottled flavored milk to frontliners in La Carlota City and the Provincial Command Center during the enhanced community quarantine.
Decena stressed that, from this year onward, the PVO is committed to increase farm productivity and revenue, and reduce costs.
He also said the PVO will bank on programs, projects, and services to sustain the livestock and poultry industry, and expand product and service delivery.
Meanwhile, PVO noted an increase in chicken products in the market last month due to increased demand brought on by the holidays, although the January consumption went back to its normal range. From an average of P220 to P230 per kilo, the cost of native chicken is now at P250 per kilo while broiler chicken is currently sold at P160 per kilo, from P150 a month ago.*
