By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental provincial government is currently working to expand nucleus farms to further boost the livestock population.

Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz made the announcement during the formal turnover of feeder cattle under the provincial government’s cattle fattening program on Friday, December 1.

The said program is one of the alternative livelihoods introduced for distressed animal raisers in Negros Occidental, especially those hit by hog cholera and African swine fever this year.

According to Diaz, the undertaking is part of the province’s comprehensive plan to uplift the livelihoods of animal raisers, offering support to those significantly impacted by the recent crisis.

Nucleus farms are facilities where elite breeders are maintained that will be the source of reputable parent and breeder stocks to sustain multiplier, eligible and capable farms.

In February, Project Uitzending Managers (PUM) Expert on Hog Nucleus Farms, Peter Geesink, in collaboration with PUM Netherlands senior experts, assured Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson of the continuation of the partnership program dedicated to ensuring food security in the province.

PUM is an overseas assistance of the Netherlands that has been covering Negros Occidental since 2005.

Geesink played a vital role in recommending enhancements in genetics and animal waste disposal, contributing valuable insights to the establishment of the new nucleus farm at the Negros Farm Ranch in Murcia town./DGB, WDJ