To continue the improvement of the goat raising in Ilocos Norte , the local government eyes to acquire a goat center in the future.
“The goat production is economically valuable in the province as it low maintenance and it is a favorite delicacy during family gatherings and other Ilokano festivities,” Piddig Mayor Eduardo “Eddie” Guillen said.
At least 300 goats were distributed among farmer-beneficiaries from the town’s 23 barangays.
Moreover, the project’s objective is to increase the livelihood of farmers. They are also encouraged to diversify their sources of income.
“Goats require less feed and easy to handle. I hope that you will take good care of them and make our town to be known as goat center in the province,” Guillen told the recipients during a simple turn-over ceremony.
The number of goats in the Philippines is increasing, based on the acquired data of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).
Currently, there are 3.3 million goats in the country. The Philippine strain (also known as the common goat) and the Dadiangas goat (which originated from General Santos City) are the goats raise by most of the farmers.
Respectively, Anglo-Nubian, Toggernburg, Saanen, French Alpine, and Boer are the exotic varieties of goats that are also being raised.
“For those who were not included in the goat raising dispersal program, the Piddig government assured there will be another round of livestock distribution which includes sheep, ducks buffalo, and free ranged chicken,” report from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) mentioned.