March 15, 2024

 

Senator urges Philippines' government to help poultry raisers

 

Philippine senator Cynthia Villar is prodding the Philippine government to assist local poultry raisers.

 

Speaking before the events of the United Broiler Raisers Association (Ubra) and the Philippine Egg Board Association, the senator noted that the poultry subsector is a major contributor to the Philippine economy.

 

"Improved genetics and breeding, good farm management, excellent nutrition, feeding and an effective biosecurity with complete vaccination programme will prevent highly contagious diseases from entering the farm, reduce mortality and increase the overall health of the poultry sector," said Villar, who chairs the Senate Agriculture and Food committee.

 

She said the Philippine broiler industry comprises 20% taken up by small farms and 80% by commercial farms, with 588 registered poultry farms and approximately 175 meat processors.

 

"Our total chicken inventory is composed of native/improved chicken, 43.3%; broiler chicken, 34.5% share and layer chicken with 22.2% share," the senator added.

 

The highest chicken inventory in the Philippines, she said, was recorded in Central Luzon with 33.68 million birds, followed by Calabarzon with 27.32 million birds and Northern Mindanao with 25.87 million birds.

 

"These three regions accounted for a 43.4% share to the country's total chicken inventory. Western Visayas has the highest 12.91 million birds which are native/improved variety," Villar added.

 

Central Luzon reported the highest inventory of broiler chicken with 18.48 million birds, while Calabarzon had the highest layer chicken stocks with 16.35 million birds.

 

To further boost the poultry industry, she pushed for the passage of the Livestock, Poultry and Dairy bill which seeks to strengthen the livestock industry to promote its development, protection and regulatory functions.

 

According to Villar, a twin bill, the Corn Industry Development bill, is "at the final stage" at the Senate. She said the measure intends to improve the availability, profitability and development of corn farming.

 

"Our corn requirement for livestock and poultry feeds is imported. We have to increase production and lower cost of inputs to make our farmers earn more and be competitive," Villar said.

 

- Business Mirror