Livestock, poultry celebration focuses on empowering animal industry stakeholders

The Department of Agriculture (DA) formally launched the celebration of the 4th National Livestock and Poultry Month on October 7 with the theme, “Masaganang Paghahayupan Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas.”

Composed of the National Livestock Program (NLP), the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the National Dairy Authority (NDA), the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and the Agricultural Training Institute-International Traning Center on Pig Husbandry (ATI-ITCPH), the DA Livestock Group spearheaded the kick-off of the celebration with the support of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) and local industry stakeholders.

On behalf of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., DA Undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor Savellano shared that this year’s theme goes beyond aiming for a productive agriculture.

“Ang masaganang paghahayupan ay hindi lamang tumutukoy sa kasaganaan ng ating mga hayop at produkto. Ito ay simbolo ng ating sama-samang pagsisikap tungo sa mas malusog, mas malakas, at mas produktibong sektor ng paghahayupan. Ang tagumpay sa sektor na ito ay isa sa mga susing magtataguyod ng Bagong Pilipinas—isang Pilipinas na mas matatag, mas makakalikasan, at mas makatarungan sa mga mamamayan,” Usec. Savellano explained.

“Sa pamamagitan ng masaganang paghahayupan, mabibigyan natin ng kakayahan ang ating mga magsasaka, manggagawa at lokal na komunidad na magkaroon ng mas maunlad na buhay,” he added.

Observed each year, on the month of October, the National Livestock and Poultry Month celebration stemmed from the DA Special Order Number 411, series of 2021 with the goal of honoring Filipino animal raisers, traders, and other industry stakeholders whose efforts have contributed to the development of the livestock and poultry industry.

As of June 30, 2024, 2.99 million Filipinos have benefitted from various livestock- and poultry-based livelihoods in the country according to the DA-Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that in 2023, over five million metric tons of livestock, poultry, and other animal products were