Soccsksargen Strengthens Livestock Sector

PHILIPPINES - In a bid to advance the global competitiveness of Soccsksargen’s livestock and poultry industry, the Department of Agriculture -12 will gather over 300 sector stakeholders in the 1st Regional Livestock and Poultry Congress in General Santos City.
calendar icon 6 June 2012
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Dr John Pascual, DA-12’s Agri-Pinoy livestock program coordinator, in the activity briefer sent to Philippine Information Agency 12 said, the two-day congress that starts today, 6 June, will be attended by representatives from hog, poultry, dairy/cattle and small ruminant sectors, feed millers, local government officials and the academe.

“The congress aims to focus on the major issues that impact the local livestock and poultry industry,” he said.

Important industry players are also meeting in the event to exchange marketing, networking and investment opportunities and gain updates and trends with regard to the industry.

Besides the plenary sessions and open forums, the event will also showcase the region’s industry through exhibits and display as well as visit to leading farms, meat packing facility, feed mills, and other livestock facilities near Gensan.

Among the itineraries of the tour are the Jolisa Agribusiness Corp, a successful agribusiness venture; Matutum Meat Packing Corp., an AAA class meat processing facility, and B-Meg-Gensan Feedmil.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala is expected to speak before the participants at the congress’ opening ceremonies.

Topics of the plenary sessions include industry profile and roadmap, market and investment opportunities, programs and policies, public-private partnership opportunities, and DA’s credit program.

Data from DA-12 Investment Profile, Soccsksargen Region or Region 12 ranks third in commercial production of hogs and 7th in total hog production in the country.

It also leads Mindanao in hog population with approximately 1 million heads as compared to Davao Region with 600,000 heads and Northern Mindanao Region with 300,000 heads.

Swine and its products are shipped to local markets in to Manila, Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Davao Oriental, Davao City, and Caraga Region.

Markets in Singapore and Dubai have recently been opened for the pork-in-a-box products from Soccsksargen Region.

DA 12 reported that shipment of pork-in-a-box shipment from the region has increased from 10,482 metric tons in 2009 to 12,225 metric tons in 2011.

Two of the biggest hog producers in the country - Biotech Farms and Progressive Farms – are also based in Region 12.

Soccsksargen supplies 3 per cent of the country’s poultry requirements, the same report continues.

Besides hog and poultry, DA 12 also considers the widening global market for goat meat and milk products along the development of the Halal industry.

“In support to the increased animal production, feed industry in the region has also improved” the briefer continues. Feed mill facilities here include the following: B-Meg Gensan Feedmill, TATEH Feedmill and lately, Biotech Feedmill.

Soccsksargen Region covers the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

The 1st Regional Livestock and Poultry Congress was organized by the Agri-Pinoy Livestock Program of DA-12, the South Cotabato Sswine Producers Association (SOCOSPA), and the Department of Agriculture Employees and Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DAEMPFC).

TheCattleSite News Desk

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