Aklan vet eyes AI for bigger cattle, carabao population
KALIBO, Aklan -- Aklan is aiming to increase the population of cows and carabaos in the province through artificial insemination.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Gervase Radislao said the goal is even intensified with the loss of hundreds of cows and carabaos in the deep flood that ravaged low-lying municipalities in Aklan brought by Typhoon Frank last June 21.
Besides increasing the population of Aklan's large ruminants, Dr. Radislao said the program also aims to improve the genetics and race of the animals, with the end-result of alleviating or eliminating poverty of farmer-owners.
Presently, 9 municipalities in Aklan have benefited from the artificial insemination program. OPVET aims to reach the rest of the municipalities.
Radislao stressed that the success of the program depends on the cooperation, interest and support of everybody especially the animal owners.
"The program is favorable to the farmer-owners - they have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Every artificial insemination done on their animals costs the government P2,000.00. As counterpart, they only have to take good care of their animals. Their cooperation will be for their own advantage - they will improve the genetics of their animals which would be fast-growing and would fetch a better price in the market, which will help improve their economic situation" Dr. Radislao said. (PIA)