A BUTCHERY expert from the Project Uitzending Managers (PUM) in the Netherlands is currently in Negros Occidental to help the province boost its lamb sector.
PUM senior expert Jan Van Goor paid a courtesy visit on Monday, October 29, to Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at his office at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.
After which, Goor was briefed by personnel of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) on the current status of the sheep sector in the province.
PVO also presented to him its role in the development of the local livestock and poultry industry.
Mary Ann Colmenares, PUM representative in Negros Occidental, said the Dutch expert will stay in the province for 12 days until November 9.
To see the supply chain in the local livestock and poultry sector, Colmenares said Goor will visit different farms and engage with farmer-raisers in the province.
“In fact, he already checked some wet markets in Bacolod City to see how our meat products are cut and sold,” she added.
For October 30, the PUM expert is set to visit farms in Sagay City as well as its slaughterhouse and other government projects.
He is also visiting nearby localities on Wednesday, October 31.
From November 1 to 5, Goor will also visit the Negros First Ranch in Murcia, Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm in La Carlota City, and some private sheep raisers in Salvador Benedicto, among others.
The PUM senior expert will then speak on a butchery training to be held in Sagay City on November 6 to 7.
It will be joined by at least 50 participants comprised mainly of farmers and raisers in the province, mostly of sheep, technical staff and representatives of local government units (LGUs), and PVO personnel.
Other activities like tours and meetings with local officials are scheduled on the remaining days.
Colmenares said the training is aimed at improving the quality of butchered and processed meat in the province, especially lamb.
Participants will be taught of slaughtering animals according to industry standards, Colmenares said.
“Lamb is like a new meat product being introduced in Negros Occidental. Since the production has increased, the demand has also grown,” she said, adding that “thus, we should know how to properly process it by complying with standards of the industry.”
Colmenares, who is also the chairman of the Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council, said the expertise extended by PUM help will also contribute to improving the profitability of local raisers.
“Having good butcher practices is like adding value to the products. Quality processed meat like lamb can acquire a better position in the market thereby boosting farmers and local industry as well,” she added.