Thursday, August 04, 2005
Agri sector told to also focus on broiler production
By Jenny Molbog-Mendoza
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 has urged Mindanao's key players in agriculture to also focus on broiler production.
With the increasing demand of chicken abroad, the agency said, there is so much room of opportunity for the island.
Data obtained from DA 11, broiler production in the region has continuously been increasing at an average of seven percent annually.
The production of the island was pegged at 156,767 metric tons in 1998 but it reached to as high as 231,512 metric tons in 2004.
Region 11, in particular, produces between seven and eight million heads per cycle of 45 days.
"Mindanao really has a great potential of becoming the major chicken producer of the country and as well as becoming a major chicken exporter. Ang Cagayan de Oro, which is the biggest broiler producer in Mindanao, has an average production of 10 million heads per cycle or per harvest. Aside from the production aspect, we are also free from the Avian Influenza virus," said DA 11-Livestock Division chief Dr. Rafael Mercado.
Mindanao contributes 19 percent of the country's total chicken production.
Aside from its local markets, Mindanao also supplies markets in Metro Manila and key cities in Visayas.
The agency is likewise pushing for the production of Halal chicken in order to cater the Middle East markets.
Mercado said that the present worldwide demand for Halal products is US$500 billion.
"Pero hindi lang 'to sa chicken, kasali na rito ang cosmetics, cattle, and other Halal products. But still malaki pa rin ang opportunity for us," he said.
Broiler chicken is one of the major industries, which will be highlighted during the Mindanao Agri-Fisheries Investment Forum slated on August 16 at the Apo View
Hotel.
A total of 16 agricultural attaches from all over the world and 10 foreign donor agencies are expected to participate in the one-day event.
(August 4, 2005 issue)
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