South Cotabato, Philippines — Through the animal dispersal program of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, a total of 767 farmers received upgraded animals from the Animal Processing and Production Center (APPC) to expand its support for farmers’ livelihood opportunities.
Dr. Kelvin Lucena, Veterinarian IV and APPC center manager, said one of the highlighted livelihood initiatives of the office is the Animal Dispersal Program, an operation of the APPC that provides breeder animals to qualified individual beneficiaries, farmers, and cooperatives.
“OPV is not only known to monitor, address sa mga sakit sa hayop, and conduct quarantine measures but also we provide livelihood for South Cotabateno,” Lucena said.
According to Veterinarian II Ella Rose Frugalidad, the APPC distributed a total of 1,305 poultry, 22 small ruminants, and three large ruminants to farmers under its Animal Dispersal Program activities.
“Under the program, upgraded breeders are distributed to individual beneficiaries and Farmers Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs), providing them with additional production resources that can help improve their livelihood,” Frugalidad shared.
The beneficiaries included 15 Farmers Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) and 17 individual beneficiaries.
She explained that the program covers various types of animals to provide farmers with opportunities suited to their existing farming activities and production capacity.
“The distribution of upgraded animals is expected to help beneficiaries improve their livestock and poultry production while providing additional sources of income for farming households and organized groups,” she emphasized.
For OPV, the Animal Dispersal Program complements its regular veterinary services by addressing not only animal health concerns but also the economic needs of farmers.
By providing quality breeder animals and extending technical support, the office aims to help farmers establish or expand their livestock and poultry production.
The program also supports farmer cooperatives and associations, enabling organized groups to participate in livelihood activities that can benefit their members and communities.
