The Negros Occidental provincial farms earned P3.030 million in 2020, posting a 13.7 percent increase from the previous year.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said today, January 18, that the substantial increase was primarily attributed to the sales of live animals such as sheep and cattle amounting to P1.2 million.
He said more farmer-entrepreneurs were interested in the venture following the new normal brought by the coronavirus pandemic. “They see the potential of livestock as well as poultry as a means of alternative livelihood to sustain family income,” Decena said.
He also said that part of the income also came from the sale of farm products and services such as free-range chicks/chicken, dairy cattle, dairy products, liquid nitrogen, Pekin ducks, dairy training, eggs, and farm wastes manure.
The products and services offered by the provincial farms are essential and highly patronized by partner-stakeholders like local government units, associations, private individuals and neighboring provinces, he said.
The provincial government-run Negros First Ranch in Sta. Rosa, Murcia, and the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm in La Granja, La Carlota City, were able to reach their targets despite various challenges encountered last year due to lengthy lockdowns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Decena said.
Last year, the province also launched the Abanse Negrense Cows Fresh Milk and Yogurt Ice Cream with mixed fruits, produced and processed in PLBCDF.
“For this year, PVO is committed to increasing farm productivity, farm revenue and reduction of costing,” Decena said.*