The “Native Animals Fair” will be held on April 25-29, 2022 to showcase research and development (R&D) outputs in purification and proper management and protocol on handling native chicken, pig, and duck breeds.
The event is led by the Western Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARRDEC), with funding from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
It is also co-implemented by the Marinduque State College (MSC), Mindoro State University (MinSU), and Western Visayas State University (WVSU), in cooperation with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Caraga State University (CarSU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), J.H. Cerilles State College (JHCSC), and Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU).
Native animals are an integral part of the agricultural industry in the Philippines as a source of meat for Filipino households, a source of livelihood for rural farmers, and a provider of socio-cultural and economic services.
DOST-PCAARRD continuously invests resources in the native animal development in the country including native chicken, native pig, and native duck, which the Council branded “ItikPINAS.” These native animal breeds underwent “purification process” or the process of developing pure lines or true-to-type populations not mixed with mongrel breeds. These breeds will be introduced and discussed during the Native Animals Fair.
In the said event, the researchers and technology developers will showcase, promote, and disseminate the technologies and other R&D outputs on native animals. Different activities- such as the virtual presser with media practitioners, technology fora, virtual farm tours, book launching, meat processing, semen processing, artificial insemination demonstrations, cooking of specialty dishes, and live virtual selling of native animal breeds are lined up for the week-long event. Participants of this event are farmers, representatives from the business sector, local government units, consortium member institutions (CMIs), and the media.
The opening program will be held on April 25, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. On April 26, 2022, ItikPINAS management and production protocols will be discussed through a technology forum. Two of the biggest ItikPINAS breeders in Luzon, Ka Rene Ramos and Don Ramon Marquez will discuss how to build profitable enterprises on native duck. Balut making will also be highlighted as well as a live selling of live animals from certified R&D partners, the RCR farm and Green Rose Duck Farm.
On April 27, 2022, Darag, ZamPen, and Caraga Black native chicken breeds will be the focus. Management and production protocols of these breeds will be discussed during this day. On April 28, 2022, Markaduke and Sinirangan native pigs will be highlighted as well as the molecular markers for reproduction and growth and meat quality. Success stories of Sinirangan pig cooperators will also be featured as well as the launching of the book, “Lechon Science” and live selling of native pig breeds.
On the last day, April 29, 2022, contest entries will be showcased and awarded.
To participate in this event, please register at https://bit.ly/NAFreg. More details are also found in the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/902295687184830/. All sessions in this 5-day fair will be livestreamed via the DOST-PCAARRD Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PCAARRD/.