By Erwin Nicavera/PNA
BACOLOD CITY — Production of free-range chicken in Negros Occidental is seen to increase in 2019 with the intensified dispersal in districts with lower production.
The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) will tap paraveterinarians (paravets) to saturate identified priority areas, based on the chicken road mapping.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said on Monday that through the volunteerism of paravets, the implementation of PVO programs and projects has been strengthened, and they are banking on their efforts to boost free-range chicken production next year.
“All districts are expected to be saturated before the year ends,” he added.
Paravets are barangay-based volunteers trained and mobilized as animal vaccinators to assist PVO technical personnel in conducting various veterinary extension services.
The road-mapping and promotion of free-range chicken production is complemented by the PVO’s Paravet Development Program.
The initiative involves capability-building through continuous conduct of technical, extension, and community development trainings at the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm in La Granja, La Carlota City.
While paravets are instruments to the delivery of services and implementation of projects and programs, the PVO also considers their welfare by providing livelihood assistance, Decena added.
