Philippine livestock sector prospects seen bright

With continuing support from the government for demand-driven programmes, the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) expects bright prospects for the livestock industry this year and beyond, owing to its vast export potentials, an increasing demand in the local market for its products, and the entry of new players to further invigorate the domestic industry.

DA secretary Bernie Fondevilla said that among these export potentials is the sale of hogs and pork products to other Asian economies, and Halal goat, chevon meat and processed products to Middle East countries and other Islamic states.

Fondevilla noted that domestic demand is also growing for semi-processed and processed beef, pork and chicken because of the increasing population; rising number of local and foreign tourists in highly urbanised areas; and the growing number of hotels, restaurants and other commercial institutions in Metro Manila and other major cities in the country.

He said that San Miguel Foods Inc., is likewise intensifying its export of chicken meat and semi-processed poultry products.

Additionally, he said there is also an opportunity for the government in the national to the local government level to develop more demand-driven rather than supply-driven comprehensive livestock programmes for the entire animal industry that are interlinked with each other - from input supply to production, to processing, to marketing and consumption of livestock and poultry meat and meat products.

He noted that the livestock sector continues to enjoy numerous opportunities for growth because the DA, through its Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), was able to maintain the Philippines status as a bird flu-free country and has taken great efforts to keep it generally free of the dreaded foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

For 2010, the BAI will continue with its genetic resource improvement programme for cattle and small ruminants through the Public Law Act 480; sustain the Male Breeder Loan Program through the improvement in collection of repayments and strict monitoring and evaluation; and strengthen and upgrade BAI Production Centres through continuous provision of quality stocks and equipment, rehabilitation of facilities and development of improved feed resources and nutrition and human resource development.

BAI will also continue to support and complement the DA's programmes on hunger mitigation, climate change and other environmental concerns by generating and applying modern technologies on breeding and selection, improved feed resources and nutrition, animal waste management, and improved utilisation of meat, edible and non-edible animal by-products.

The total livestock and poultry industry production increased by 1.49% in 2009 compared to 2008, which is no mean feat considering the tasks of the bureau in keeping the Philippines free of the dreaded bird flu, FMD and other threats to the animal industry.