The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it is exploring alternative animal feed to cut production costs as the country expands carabao herd production.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. particularly looked into millet and other possible feed ingredients during his visit to India, as this is expected to be a potential alternative to corn.

Millet is a group of small-seeded cereal grasses used for both food and animal feed.

In a news release, the DA said this move may help reduce the risk of weather-driven disruptions in feed supply as the country faces the looming “very strong” El Niño phenomenon.

“It can grow under relatively dry conditions and generally requires less water than corn, making it a potential alternative when drought affects conventional feed crops,” it said.

This may also be beneficial for the livestock industry, giving farmers and feed manufacturers more “flexibility.”

“Corn is a major feed ingredient, so disruptions in production can translate into higher input costs,” the DA said.

This consideration comes as the government intensifies its efforts to expand local carabao and dairy production and reduce import reliance.

“When communities can grow, process and mill their own feed, we lower costs, raise productivity, and make our food system more resilient,” Tiu Laurel said.

Earlier, the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) launched the world’s first laboratory for sex-sorting buffalo semen in Nueva Ecija, amounting to PHP237.9 million.

The facility separates sperm carrying X and Y chromosomes through flow cytometry, with about 90 percent accuracy.

The PCC seeks to produce about 170,000 sex-sorted semen straws per year, primarily to increase female offspring and expand the dairy herd.

To date, the Philippines produces less than five percent of the country’s national milk requirement. (PNA)