The Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 (Davao Region) is pushing for stronger livestock recovery in the ongoing 3rd Quarter Assessment of the National Livestock Program (NLP) here, which began on Monday.

Running until Oct. 10, the NLP gathering, whose number of participants is yet to be ascertained due to continued arrivals, brings together program implementers, livestock experts, and representatives from operating units across the country.

The initiative is designed to accelerate the sustainable growth of the livestock and poultry industries.

It focuses on creating policies and programs in key areas: genetic enhancement through initiatives like the Male Breeder Loan Program and Artificial Insemination, food safety, economic growth, and farmer education and extension services.

“It is not just about targets; it is about transforming lives,” said DA-11 regional director Macario Gonzaga in a statement Tuesday.

He emphasized that the gathering goes beyond reports and statistics, serving as a venue for collaboration and renewed commitment to uplift the country’s livestock sector.

“It’s a crucial convergence and a time to assess how far we’ve come and the real impact we’ve made on communities, food security, and economic growth,” Gonzaga added.

In the Davao Region, tangible progress is evident through the implementation of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program, which has helped thousands of swine raisers recover from the African Swine Fever (ASF) crisis.

The INSPIRE Program aims to accelerate the repopulation and recovery of the hog industry, ensuring the availability, accessibility, and affordability of pork products in the local market.

It directly addresses the sector’s urgent needs following the ASF outbreak.

“Millions of pesos in grants have been distributed to affected farmers, enabling their cooperatives to resume production and stabilize the region’s swine supply,” Gonzaga said.

He also highlighted the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) Program, which has transformed backyard raisers into small agri-preneurs, empowering them to become key players in the livestock value chain. (PNA)