• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday distributed P724,000 worth of poultry and livestock to farmer beneficiaries in various local government units of Negros Occidental, which were produced in the Negros First Ranch and the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm.
The breeder boars and gilts are from the newly operational swine breeding and techno demo farm facility at Negros First Ranch, according to the Provincial Veterinarian Office.
The distribution of breeder pigs at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City, is part of the repopulation initiatives of the province, aimed at to fast track recovery from the ill effects of African Swine Fever (ASF) and hog cholera, PVO further said.
These boars will be instrumental in promoting the use of Artificial Insemination (AI) as a breeding method, which is advantageous over natural mating, in terms of accelerating productivity and of preventing the spread of ASF and hog cholera, said Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana.
Also distributed by Lacson, who was assisted by Lemana and Board Member Jeffrey Tubola, were cattle, free range chicks, ducks, and sheep from the twin program on Genetic Improvement and Livelihood, which the province is implementing continuously.
The aim, according to Lemana, is to sustain and improve production efficiency through infusion and upgrading of stocks in local government unit operating breeding centers and multiplier farms and those raised by backyard farmers.*
