October 8, 2008

PhilSan at 20: Searching for an appropriate direction for Philippine animal nutrition

The Philippine livestock industry is unarguably facing the toughest challenge of our time brought about by fuel and feed grain price hikes, compelling diseases and the booming Chinese economy which has caused an imbalance in supply and demand chain, severely dealing a great impact to our local hog, poultry, aquaculture and feed sectors.

For this reason, the Philippine Society of Animal Nutritionists (PhilSan) pooled together key persons from different livestock sectors for their 20th annual convention to share their insights and expertise to industry stakeholders.

With the theme, "State of the Industry: Where are we heading?", the convention aims to update the farmers, nutritionists, buyers and decision makers on the industry: where is it going, what has been done and what can still be done.

"The goal of this gathering is to help farmers how to survive in these hard times," says Mercedes Buyoc, PhilSan official and former president. "PhilSan gathers its members together once a year to discuss and confront different issues --from feed milling, production, nutrition formulation and anything related to livestock."

Aside from this yearly convention, PhilSan--which already has 100 members--regularly executes outreach programs to do technical services for farmers, agriculturists, technicians and every member of the agri-workforce with an aim to improve Philippine livestock.

This year's convention aims to answer the industry's qualms about the present situation, what it should do and what it is looking forward to. For instance, the once vibrant hog industry, have considerably reduced inventories due to diseases and soaring feed prices. Dr. Dante Palabrica of Universal Robina Corporation, in his statement on the outlook and status of the swine industry, admits that "the hog sector is going to the dogs" as production is predicted to significantly decrease by 30 percent by end 2008 and liveweight prices will soften due to weak consumer spending. Efficient management techniques and improved breeding programs are therefore needed to at least abate a likely gloomy scenario.

Philippine scientist and renowned aquaculturist Dr. Rafael Guerrero also discussed the threats and opportunities for the aquaculture industry. Touted as the country's most viable agri-industry today, Guerrero also expressed great concerns on the viability of the sector over global warming, overproduction and environmental degradation.

Connoisseurs from the poultry and feed sectors also presented their current state and future measures to prevent a probable meltdown on their respective businesses.

Buyoc believes that this year's convention will be the platform for the industry players' next move in 2009. "PhilSan's activity does not just stop here. We're here to educate, to serve and just help our farmers particularly in these hard times".