Feeds cost reduction key to livestock development

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) hopes to improve the productivity of the livestock sector by lowering production costs and applying technology, with a reduction in the price of feeds being one of the major focuses.

There is also a measure pending in Congress to integrate the development of the livestock and poultry industries and the feed sector.

Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano said that increasing the domestic production of livestock and poultry would need a reduction in the cost of feeds.

The Livestock Philippines and Aquaculture Philippines trade show on May 22–24, 2024 will have conferences and seminars for the two industries. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

«Right now, mostly we are still importing corn; we have to produce more corn. We have to invest; we have to subsidize farmers to increase the production of soybeans. And even malunggay can be part of the feeds, [even] seaweeds. There [is] ongoing [research] for this, to reduce the production cost of feeds,» he said.

Currently, corn is still the dominant feed source for livestock and poultry, but domestic crop production cannot cope with local demand.

Savellano also sees the need for the integrated development of the livestock and feed industry, which at present are treated as separate industries by the government and private sector.

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He said a law is pending in Congress to integrate the development of the livestock and feed industries, with the DA taking the lead.

«There's a proposal now in Congress and Senate, the Livestock and Feed Industry Act. Because right now, here at the department, the group handling livestock and feeds are separate. The group handling the components for feeds is separate. We have to really combine both,» Savellano said.

«So, when we have to think of the development of the livestock industry, we have to think of the development of [the] feeds industry,» he added.

The DA official said that lowering the cost of feeds will need technology adoption and that more efficient production of livestock and poultry can pave the way for the country to export meat products.

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"[It has to be] technology-driven. We have so many resources; we maximize, lessen