DESPITE their small sizes, native animals are potential income earners for farmers.
This was stressed by Dr. Synan Baguio, livestock director of the Philippine Council for Agricultural Resources and Research Development and Dr. Agapita Salces, geneticist of the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA-7), during a seminar workshop in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
Baguio and Salces provided technical inputs on the formulation of a regional program on native animals.
Baguio said there is higher income from native animals as the people prefer them over others because of its unique taste and texture.
Native animals, most especially chicken, are also regarded as nutraceuticals or food with medical benefits.
For her part, Dr. Salces said conserving native animals is necessary because they serve as valuable reservoir of genes for resistance to diseases, among others.
The workshop also discussed problems in native animal production, identification of doable activities and the formulation of a program for native animals.
Some of the activities identified to be implemented in the region were careful breeding and selection, development of alternative local feed resources, identification of medicinal plants for animals and establishment of marketing network.
Technical men of the DA and representatives of state colleges and universities and provincial veterinary offices in the region attended the activity.
The workshop output will be presented to the provincial veterinarians and heads of state colleges and universities next month.