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At
the end of each six-month long FLS, participating farmers observed
reduced goat mortality, increased stocks, as well as new and sustained
goat-based enterprises.
The
FLS-IGM started as a scaling up approach of the project “Development
and testing of an integrated approach to the control of gastrointestinal
parasites of goats in South and Southeast Asia.” It was implemented
in Malasiqui, Pangasinan and in Liloan and Dano, Cebu.
This
PCARRD-coordinated project was funded by the International Fund
for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the International Livestock
Research Institute (ILRI).
What
they say
According to the report, farmers and regional partners derived many
workable lessons on goat worm control and on the community-based
approach used to introduce the technologies in the Philippines.
These added
up to improved livelihoods and strengthened cooperation among farmers
in Balungao, Pangasinan, where a goat raisers’ association
was formed. In fact, to this day, the town holds an annual goat
festival.
Even if the
project had ended in 2005 local government units continue to request,
through the Department of Agriculture of Region 1, the project’s
expansion to other sites.
Requests have
been made by the municipalities of Bani, Alaminos City, Mangatarem,
and Bugallon in Pangasinan as well as in Galimuyod and Vigan, Ilocos
Sur.
Commendations
have been generously directed to organizers.
In the same
breadth, an association of goat and sheep raisers from Tarlac mentioned
PCARRD’s efforts in FLS coordination during the Joint Public
Hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, chaired
by Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr.
Dr. Edwin C.
Villar, PCARRD’s Livestock Research Division director, described
the FLS modality during the hearing. Consequently, the senator’s
agriculture staff expressed interest in FLS.
This gesture
is hoped to still bring about continued partnership in goat management
technologies, encouraging more farmers to participate in the future.
(Maria Estela H. Facundo, S&T Media Service)
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