by: Caloy Bautista / May 28, 2007

The provincial government will soon implement a new program that would revitalize the livestock industry in the province while intensifying its high-value crops program.

In a meeting with nearly 300 barefoot livestock technicians in the province last Friday May 25, Governor and Vice Governor-elect Manny Piñol introduced the coconut-, oil palm-, and rubber-based small ruminants program designed for farmers engaged in the production of the high- value crops.

“We will intensify the priority crops, but we need the livestock as alternative source of income for our high-value crop farmers while waiting for their farm produce,” Governor Piñol said.  Rubber will only become productive after 5-6 years, coconut in 5 years, and oil palm after 3 years.

Gov. Piñol said the provincial government will import high breed goats and cattle abroad to be distributed to the beneficiaries. Barefoot livestock technicians will be assigned in different areas to assist farmers in taking care of the animals.

As part of the process of identifying pilot areas, designated barefoot technicians of the province were tasked to conduct an inventory of the number of goats and cattle in every municipality.

Alongside the cattle and goat dispersal program, zoological supplies like syringes and needles and veterinary medicines will be provided to technicians to ensure fast and efficient service.

Vice Governor and Governor-Elect Jesus Sacdalan who was in the same forum meanwhile urged the barefoot livestock technicians to cooperate with the provincial government and support this new endeavor.

“You will be our partner”, Vice- Gov. Sacdalan said.

“We shall not allow this program to follow the failing ways of other similar programs implemented by other agencies in the past.  We will make North Cotabato the first province to make livestock as the main industry along with our four-high value crops,” he said.

A 2-day refresher course for barefoot livestock technicians will be conducted by the Provincial Veterinary Office as a follow-up activity next month.