Agriculture dep’t wants enhanced livestock genetics

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture has designated the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) as the lead agency developing biotechnologies to speed up the genetic improvement of cattle and small ruminants apart from carabaos. In a recent administrative order, DA Secretary Arthur Yap also directed the PCC to coordinate with other livestock agencies such as the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and National Dairy Authority (NDA) in implementing its genetic improvement initiatives. PCC is among the livestock agencies authorized to undertake Livestock Biotechnology programs under DA Administrative Order 21 issued in 2005, as it has the basic facilities and technical expertise to carry out such efforts. "There is a recognized need to enhance the DA's genetic improvement programs in farm animals, particularly among ruminants in support of the national program of improving livestock production and food security," Yap said. Ruminants refer to mammals with compound stomach (four compartments) like carabaos, cattle, goats, and sheep. Yap said "the role of ruminants as a source of food in the form of meat and milk as well as livelihood among small-hold farming families is becoming more pronounced in the light of the increasing demand for food of animal origin." The Agriculture chief noted that genetic improvement programs in ruminants is limited by the nature of biological parameters, such as long generation interval and limited number of offspring per birth. Reproductive biotechnologies like in vitro embryo production and embryo transfer, along with somatic cell nuclear transfer and gene-based technology like Marker Assisted Selection are shown to hasten as well as increase accuracy of selection and propagation of superior genetics, he said. GMANews.tv