Agri-10 eyes strengthened beef cattle marketing innovations among NorMin industry stakeholders

 

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON — As demand grows for production and marketing of beef cattle, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10), led by the Regional Executive Director, Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, through its livestock program, hosted a beef cattle marketing innovations seminar cum workshop, to foster networking and collaboration among stakeholders, on January 24, here.

Pursuant to the memorandum order issued by the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, which highlights the need for innovative marketing strategies and technological advancements to support the growth and sustainability of the beef cattle industry, DA-10 eyes to equip beef cattle producers with modern marketing tools to enhance product visibility and consumer engagement.

In his message, DA Assistant Secretary for Ruminant Livestock, Benjamin C. Albarece, DVM, emphasized the importance of the market as a starting point for improving livelihoods within the livestock industry.

“We are gathered here today to address the challenges in marketing and explore how we can collaborate to create effective marketing plans, which will serve as a foundation for our guidelines and policies. It is essential to hear from the farmers, from the grassroots level what we can do to help them,” he stated.

Guest speakers Raymund Mirabueno and Allan Noel S. Bernales stressed the role of social media platforms in marketing, as well as the cattle breeds available and marketable in the region such as Brahman based bloodline.

With the industry facing challenges such as changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and increased global competition, the seminar-workshop provided a venue on how to navigate social media, which is seen to contribute to the long-term success of the beef cattle industry.

For her part, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Market Specialist I, Mariflor A. Balabat, detailed the key market destinations for large animals between September and November 2024, notably in Mindanao such as Agusan del Sur with 426 heads, Davao del Sur (195) and Davao del Norte with 112 heads.

Meanwhile, Livestock focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc presented the livestock growth rate in terms of production volume, with Northern Mindanao leading as the top cattle producing region during the second quarter of 2024, producing 10,635.8 metric tons, overall contributing 17.4% to the national produce.

As agreed, the consolidated data excerpt from the seminar will be submitted to the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, which will form part as reference for multi year plan , future guidelines and policies to support livestock industry.

Said event was attended by representatives from the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, the National Livestock Program Directorate, the Provincial Veterinary Office of Bukidnon, Local Government of Manolo Fortich, large ruminant commercial raisers, and beneficiaries of the Artificial Insemination Program. # (MAC)