BAR TODAY || Official Quarterly Publication of the Bureau of Agricultural Research

National integrated RDE agenda and program for livestock and fisheries
by Thea Kristina M. Pabuayon

January-March 2001
Volume 3 No. 1

In the next 20 years, the demand for poultry products in developing countries will grow due to increased population, urbanization, and income growth. It is essential that certain reforms be made to insure that the food needs of our people are met. These could include linking small-scale producers with processors and marketers, and improving the state of backyard businesses that comprise most of our local industry. The Livestock and Poultry NIRDEAP embodies the integrated thrusts and directions for research, development, and extension and contain priority programs for a five-year period. It details the sequence of activities that address research or technological development to technology application. Under the NIRDEAP, present problems and future directions of the livestock industry are considered, responding to the needs of its clientele, especially small farmers. Envisioned to be at par with its international counterparts, our livestock and poultry industry is set to improve on productivity, production efficiency, and product quality through basic and applied research, as well as effective extension strategies. This goal will be achieved only through the different programs and strategies embodied in the NIRDEAP.

The most important issues that need to be addressed immediately are: lack of quality animals, loss of genetic diversity, inefficient utilization of feed resources, dependence on imported vaccines and biologics, inappropriate packaging and product presentation, unprofitable livestock production in mixed farming systems, improper waste management, inadequate policies for livestock development, and poor delivery systems/adoption of technology.

Improving agriculture productivity and profitability through the improvement of the genetic potential of animals to local production systems through the development of strategic and sustainable health programs; and establishment of an efficient system of marketing and distribution

Protecting the environment through the development of cost-effective and environment-friendly production and post-production technologies

Saving biodiversity by conserving and efficiently utilizing native or indigenous animals

Improving Policy by providing appropriate and favourable policy environment studies for progressive livestock and poultry industries

Nurturing the knowledge system in agriculture by promoting efficient information, education and communication strategies

Programs
Genetic Improvement, Use, and Conservation of animals
Researchers now recognize the need to sustain a selection of highly-productive animals and at the same time hasten genetic improvement. These will assure farmers and breeders of an elite herd, a well-maintained gene pool, nucleus herd, multiplier farms and publication of breed standards. Some of the activities under this program include progeny testing of the performance of various crossbreeds, utilization of biotechnology, and the intensive selection and propagation of purebred animals.

Production and Management Systems and Animal Health Program for Economically-Important Pests and Diseases
The livestock sector must generate competitive technologies that can improve the viability of production at smallhold farms to be a world-class industry. This will be done through on-farm R&D on crop-livestock integration; indigenous feed resources conservation; efficient waste management; and proper animal health monitoring and vaccination.

Post-production Technology Development and Livestock Enterprise Development at the Villages
Drafted under this program is the development of new products with potential local and international markets. Some of the activities to be undertaken are development and promotion of high-value products and by-products; smallhold producers' empowerment; and the development of an efficient transport system for livestock and poultry products.

Policy Studies in the Livestock Sector
Focuses on the development of supportive policies and marketing strategies that will render the industry sustainable and competitive through a comprehensive review of existing policies.

Technology Promotion, Dissemination and Capability Building
With the use of the current advancements in communication and information technology, the livestock network will seek to upgrade its institutions and manpower capabilities, and promote technology transfer and utilization. This will be done through the adoption of information and communication strategies, strengthening of DA-local government units-state colleges and universities extension linkages in the delivery of technology-based enterprises and by establishing a sustained integrated support system.