THE Department of Agriculture (DA) conducted an outreach program to improve the livestock production of farmers and to uplift the livestock industry in Zamboanga Peninsula.

DA Regional Executive Director Rad Donn Cedeño said the latest beneficiaries of the agency's Livestock Outreach Program are the farmers in Poblacion village, Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur and Goin village, Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte.

Cedeño said more than 150 livestock, including cattle, carabao, horses, goats, pigs, chicken, dogs and cats, were rendered services like deworming, Artificial Insemination (AI), anti-biotic and vitamin injection and anti-rabies vaccination.

He said the agency continues to improve the livestock production in the region through the regular conduct of livestock outreach program and trainings.

Cedeño and his personnel also distributed livestock Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to the farmers during the outreach program.

Dr. Darwin Lloyd Sulay, regional livestock coordinator, emphasized that it is important to regularly deworm the farm animals during the outreach mission.

"Strategic and regular deworming schedule will prevent the growth of internal parasites in our livestock, making them respond favorably to the vaccines. This way, we can ensure their health, improve their weights and help increase our profits," Sulay said.

Aside from deworming and AI, the DA outreach team also injected vitamins to keep the animals strong and healthy.

Lapuyan Mayor Joel Sulong extended his appreciation to the DA for reaching out the Subanen tribes in his town and for teaching the farmers the proper way of raising their livestock. (SunStar Zamboanga)