To cap 2009, PCARRD and the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) conducted an advocacy forum on the growth potentials, products, and research and development (R&D) directions of animal biotechnology at the Bayview Park Hotel in Manila on December 9.
Welcoming the participants to the forum was PCARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon. He especially acknowledged the presence of the key people in the biotech network in the animal industry.
Dr. Edwin C. Villar, PCARRD-Livestock Research Division (LRD) director, stated the objectives of the forum as follows: 1) to develop “informed opinion” among stakeholders of biotechnology for effective advocacy and promotion of the potentials, products, and areas of investments on biotechnology; 2) to solicit stakeholders’ concerns, interests, and motives in animal biotechnology R&D; and 3) to identify stakeholders’ priorities for R&D on animal biotechnology.
Livestock revolution
Philippine Carabao Center Executive Director Libertado C. Cruz discussed the reasons for investing in livestock technology. These include growing population; increase in income, particularly among urban dwellers; changing food preference; increase in demand of animal-derived products; changing production system; and environmental impacts.
Cruz elaborated that more people are buying more milk and meat; and that there is an increase in demand of animal-derived food products.
He also mentioned that the animal industry is faced with challenges. One of these is climate change, which according to him “will change the future requirements of animal production.”
Cruz also said that globalization has brought more competition that challenges the local animal industry.
Inputs of biotechnology
The application of biotechnology in the animal industry has improved feed grain production such as with the development of the Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn.
Cruz enumerated the other gains of the livestock sector with biotechnology: improving forage quality, enhancing genetic improvement of economically important traits, enhancing animal performance, and preserving biodiversity.
On livestock biotechnology, genetic improvement has catered to the production, processing, and consumer traits.
Also at the forum
Aside from Cruz, the other speakers include Biotech Coalition of the Philippines (BCP) Executive Secretary Abraham Manalo, BCP Chairman of the Board and President Nina Gloriani, and Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture-Biotechnology Information Center Special Project Coordinator and Network Administrator Jenny Panopio.
Also participating in the forum were representatives from the private sector and some media practitioners.
Dr. Synan S. Baguio, LRD assistant director, facilitated the workshop proper where the participants were enjoined to identify animal biotechnology R&D priority areas.