Livestock and aquaculture expo promotes innovation, sustainability towards agri dev’t

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and international events organizer Informa Markets jointly headlined the launching of the Livestock and Aquaculture Philippines 2024 with the theme, “Harnessing innovation and technology for sustainable farm development.”

On its first day, the expo opened with 200 exhibitors from 18 countries in the presence of thousands of farmers, fisherfolk, traders, manufacturers, processors, quality controllers, consumers, animal health and welfare professionals, academicians, local officials, and foreign dignitaries. It has steadily become the premier event for the livestock, poultry, meat, feeds, and aquaculture stakeholders since its first run in 2011.

Among the expo’s highlights is the DA Pavilion housing nine operating units of the Department — the National Livestock Program (NLP), the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), the National Dairy Authority (NDA), the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH), the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the Bureau of Fisheries Standards (BAFS), and the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF)—as well as the government financial institution Land Bank of the Philippines.

For its seventh installment, the Livestock and Aquaculture Philippines sheds light on the vital role of innovation and sustainability in agricultural development and modernization. In her opening message, Informa Markets in the Philippines Country General Manager Rungphech Chitanuwat acknowledged the significant potential of the Philippine livestock and aquaculture industries albeit facing several setbacks including the outbreak of transboundary animal diseases.

“We can see that the sector has been through challenges over the years. However, with the Livestock and Aquaculture Philippines, we expect that we can set the tone to put the community together. I am confident that this event will support the country’s direction in improving the sustainable production in the farm system,” said Chitanuwat.

This was affirmed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., who stressed the critical role of technologies and