Dairy cattle building inaugurated in Kabankalan
The dairy cattle building at the 5-hectare Animal Breeding and Genetic Improvement Center of Negros State College of Agriculture in Kabankalan City was inaugurated on Aug. 27 with Antonio Ayen, operation manager-Visayas of the National Dairy Authority as guest of honor and speaker.
Cutting the ceremonial ribbon was city mayor Pedro Zayco, Jr. with Gov. Isidro Zayco and Vice Mayor Delia Anacan. Also present were Dr. Renante Decena, provincial veterinarian; Federico Buenafe, director, Phil. Carabao Center; city councilors, barangay captains, staff of NDA, teachers and students of NSCA. They were welcome by Dr. Joel Perez, who represented Dr. Freddie Maningo, NSCA president who was on official leave.
At present, there are 21cows of Holstein-Sahiwal breed from New Zealand at the dairy building. In its full swing operation, the cows are expected to produce at least 10 liters of milk daily eyeing Kabankalan City for its market.
Gov. Zayco said this project is the result of a love triangle forged by the provincial government, the city of Kabankalan and NSCA that donated the site. Mayor Zayco said this dairy production will help the city in its objective to attain food sufficiency.
Perez explains that other components of ABGIC are the goat, poultry, piggery, beef cattle and buffalo projects. The center will also help boost the livestock and poultry industry in the southern pat of Negros Occidental, to provide a reliable source of superior stock of different animal species in the locality and as training ground for prospective farmers, agriculture graduates and out of school youth who want to equip themselves with skills needed for their employment or any endeavors, Perez added.
Meanwhile, Board Member Adolfo Mangao Sr. of the 6th District, turned over 50 piglets for selected residents to raise, under the pig dispersal program of the provincial government. (Eddie Yap)