FARM INCOME UP. Cattle raised at the provincial veterinary farms in Negros Occidental. In 2020, income of animal farms owned by the provincial government increased by 13.7 percent, a report of the Provincial Veterinary Office showed. (Photo courtesy of PVO Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY – Income of animal farms owned by the Negros Occidental provincial government increased by 13.7 percent in 2020, figures from the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) showed.
Total earnings reached about PHP3 million in the past year compared to about PHP2.59 million in 2019.
Provincial veterinarian Renante Decena said in a report on Tuesday the increase can be credited to higher sales of live animals like sheep and cattle, which amounted to PHP1.2 million.
“There’s an increasing number of interested farmer-entrepreneurs who have worked for progress amid the ‘new normal’ condition brought by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
Decena added that raisers have seen the potential of livestock and poultry-raising as a means of alternative livelihood.
Other income came from sales of farm products and services, including free-range chicken, dairy cattle, dairy products, liquid nitrogen, peking ducks, dairy training, eggs, and farm waste manure.
Decena said the higher income indicates that products and services catered and rendered by the provincial farms are essential and highly-patronized by partner-stakeholders such as local government units, associations, private individuals, and neighboring provinces.
The two provincial farms, managed and operated by the PVO, are the Negros First Ranch (NFR) in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Murcia and the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm (PLBCDF) in Barangay La Granja, La Carlota City.
“They reached the targets despite the many challenges encountered last year due to extended lockdowns,” Decena said.
In 2020, the PVO launched the Abanse Negrense Cow Fresh Milk and Yogurt Ice Cream with mixed fruits produced and processed at the PLBCDF, and provided bottled flavored milks to front-liners of La Carlota City and the Provincial Incident Management Team.
“This year, the PVO remains committed to increase farm productivity, farm revenues and reduce costs,” Decena added. (PNA)
