The Provincial Veterinary Office initiates a cattle fattening project through the Negros First Ranch in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Murcia town to boost livelihood opportunities for Negrense raisers. (File photo from PVO-Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY -- The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) here continues to explore measures to further develop the livestock and poultry sector in Negros Occidental.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said in a statement on Friday that they hold monthly consultative meetings as part of the initiatives of the provincial government to produce more livestock and poultry products.
The latest meeting was held last February 27 in Victorias City and attended by PVO personnel, city veterinarians, municipal agriculturists and livestock technicians.
“We are banking on the active participation of all stakeholders involved in livestock and poultry production,” Decena said.
He added that the consultative meetings also underscore the animal diversification and livelihood program of the province.
The strategic framework involves five major commodities such as black pigs, dairy and beef cattle, broiler production, layer and free-range chicken.
In line with the upcoming “Panaad sa Negros Festival” in April, the PVO will also hold various activities like live animal exhibits and other programs that required the cooperation of local government units.
Moreover, the PVO veterinarians also gained knowledge boost with their participation in the recently-held 86th Scientific Conference and Annual Convention in Iloilo City.
Decena led the delegation from the province during the three-day event organized by the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA), where they learned new techniques about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of different animal diseases.
They also got updates on emerging and re-emerging animal diseases, including African Swine fever, that could cause significant impact to the livestock and poultry industry.
The PVO said one of the major concerns faced by veterinary professionals is the development of antimicrobial resistance due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in food animals, where standard treatments become ineffective, infection persists, and creates the possibility of spreading.
The PVMA aims to develop measures to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance and strengthen the implementation of policies on responsible use of antibiotics in veterinary practice, it added.(PNA)
