By Erwin Nicavera/PNA
BACOLOD CITY — The sheep-farming sector in Negros Occidental got a boost from an expert of the Netherlands-based Project Uitzending Managers (PUM), who visited the province for 12 days until Friday.
PUM senior expert Jan Van Goor, who arrived here on Oct. 29, visited various farms and spoke with farmer-raisers as he assessed the supply chain of the local livestock and poultry sector.
Mary Ann Colmenares, PUM representative in Negros Occidental, said considering that lamb meat has just been introduced in the province, those involved in the sector should know how to properly process it by complying with industry standards. “Since lamb production has increased, the demand has also grown,” she said.
Colmenares, who also chairs the Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council, said the expertise extended by PUM to Negros Occidental will help improve the profitability of local raisers.
On Nov. 6-7, Goor conducted a butchery training for at least 60 Negrenses in Sagay City.
The training was participated in by animal raisers from various cities and municipalities, students, meat traders, businessmen, and representatives of local government units, the academe, and personnel of the Provincial Veterinary Office.
Goor stressed the importance of producing safe food by observing proper hygiene and sanitation in the production area. He also demonstrated how to debone carcasses to produce different meat cuts with different values.
Moreover, Colmenares said having good butcher practices is like adding value to the products.
Quality processed meat like lamb can acquire better position in the market and thus boost the industry, she added.
As part of his visit, Goor also went to wet markets in Bacolod City to see how meat products are being cut and sold.
The Dutch expert likewise visited the Negros First Ranch in Murcia and Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm in La Carlota City, and met with some private sheep raisers in Salvador Benedicto.
