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To create a breeding source of livestock animals in the province of Agusan del Norte, the Department of Agriculture – Caraga through its Livestock Program turn over 50 heads of cattle to the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) held at the Capitol Grounds, earlier today.
Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo led the turnover ceremony and graced by Board Member Committee Chair on Agriculture Virgilio Escasiñas Jr., Jabonga Municipal Mayor Napoleon Montero, Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Aclan, and Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Belen Aruelo.
“We, in the Department of Agriculture – Caraga is here to perform our mandate which is to help and elevate the agriculture sector in the region. Especially in this pandemic, the need to produce more including livestock and poultry is vital in ensuring food sufficiency. Our efforts have doubled today to address the needs of our LGU’s and provinces with regard to livestock”, Monteagudo said.
The limited stocks of livestock and its by-products pushed the province of Agusan del Norte through the Agusan Up and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Agriculture Committee to request support from DA- Caraga on the emerging issues in the province’s livestock sector.
“As the Committee Chair on Agriculture, I can really see that we are lacking in livestock products. I spoke with our Provincial Agriculturist; we really need a large supply because this will contribute to the economy of our province. Through this, we can produce dairy products, meat, and help the dispersal for our farmer’s livelihood,” said Escasinas Jr.
The initial 50 cattle released by DA –Caraga, according to Escasinas, will be a stepping stone for the province of Agusan del Norte for their proposal of creating the Regional Stock Farm in the province, which will benefit multiple livelihoods in the livestock sector especially the farmers.
“Through the proposed regional stock farm, it will really help our farmers that were greatly affected by many adversities, especially now. If we provide livestock sources, this can help them,” he added.
Twenty of these cattle will be managed by the PVO through their provincial stock farm, 15 to the chosen multiplier farm in Las Nieves, Agusan Del Norte, and the other 15 to another multiplier farm in Jabonga, Agusan Del Norte. The cattle given are heifers or female cattle that have not had any offspring. With an age range of 18-24 months, weighing 180 kilograms (kg.) each.
Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Aclan also stressed that the 50 cattle are the initial distribution of DA- Caraga to the Province of Agusan del Norte specifically to the recipients from LGUs of Jabonga and Las Nieves since they already have the facility and full plans and programs on running the production. (Kent Warren Fuguso/DA-13 RAFIS)
