OFFICIALS of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have lauded the efforts of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental in developing its livestock and poultry industry.
Agriculture Attachè Ryan Bedford and Agricultural Counselor to the Philippines Haas Morgan along with US Embassy official Pia Ang, also an agriculture specialist, visited the Negros First Ranch (NFR) in Murcia town on Friday.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said the visit focused on the priority programs of the provincial government particularly in terms of livestock and poultry industry development.
Decena along with Farm Management Division Head Dr. Placeda Lemana and Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino toured USDA officials at the NFR and presented various projects being implemented there.
These include pasture development, sheep, beef and dairy cattle, dairy goat, native pig, duck and turkey projects.
They were also toured to the province's Liquid Nitrogen Plant. There, the importance of liquid nitrogen in strengthening the local livestock production was presented to them.
The foreign government officials also visited the cattle shed houses at the NFR.
"They are amazed on the different breeds of cattle that are naturally produced in the farm," he said, adding that USDA officials lauded how the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) was able to provide and sustain the province's livelihood program through cattle dispersal among local government units (LGUs) and farmer-raisers.
During the visit, PVO also underscored that aside from livestock and poultry, the NFR also grows an organic garden in support to the province's organic farming initiative.
USDA officials got a taste of the farm's sweet santol and locally-produced organic black rice.
They congratulated Decena and the entire PVO team for efficiently managing and ensuring that the quality of animal produced at the NFR has met the standards.
PVO, in a statement, said USDA representatives also expressed high regards for the excellent operation of a local government-run livestock farm.
In fact, this is their first time to know that a local government has engaged in managing and operating its own farm, it said.
"For them, it is exponentially commendable considering that the accountability of running big farms calls for a big responsibility," it added.