Agri-10 eyes to increase AI tech’s cash-calf incentive from P100 to P500 for every calf born alive through AI.

 

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – Following the effectivity of the revised implementing guidelines on the operationalization of the Unified National Artificial Insemination Program (UNAIP), the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), through its Livestock Program, held the UNAIP forum at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) on February 15-16, in this city.

The forum revolved around the salient amendments on Memorandum Order No. 04 series of 2023 – the “Revised Implementing Guidelines on the Grant of the Artificial Insemination Cash-Calf Incentives (AICCI) under the UNAIP for Large Ruminants”.

Under said Order, eligible Artificial Insemination (AI) Technicians in the region will now receive P500 worth of AICCI from the previous P100 for every calf born alive through AI.

DA-10 Regional AI Coordinator, Johnson C. Petalcurin said AI technicians are also required to submit geotagged photo documentation as stipulated in the Order.

Hence, the side-by-side conduct of geotagging training along with the forum.

He added that the UNAIP forum is an avenue to assess the accomplishments of the different provinces and municipalities in terms of AI technology.

Moreover, it also allows AI technicians to share experiences and exchange good practices in addressing common problems they encountered on the ground.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga stressed that the impact of AI technology in the region needs to be measured and documented as research-based and science-based references.

“When we gather these data, it will serve as our guide on what aspects need to be improved, and what aspects need to be continued. We will then propose projects for the development of AI as a result of the conducted study,” she said.

She added, “We are already far in terms of promoting AI but we can still move forward. We need to have convergence, coordination, and collaboration with the livestock industry stakeholders so we can successfully implement projects that can further develop our AI technology.”

Madriaga stressed that DA-10, headed by our Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado will continue to support and assist the livestock industry in the region.

UNAIP is a program of the DA that aims to elevate the large and small ruminant industries in the country with the help of artificial breeding.

This provides a strategic direction in the current efforts of promoting AI and harmonizes the tasks of the national livestock agencies namely, the Bureau of Animal Industry, National Dairy Authority, Philippine Carabao Center, and DA regional field offices.

These agencies are also expected to be frontline in carrying out efficient and effective livestock breeding programs and producing quality genetic materials through AI technology.

The UNAIP forum was participated by AI technicians from the different municipalities in the region and provincial AI coordinators of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental.

Also present in the forum are Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulation Cora A. Dumayaca, chiefs and representatives of the DA-10 provincial operations centers and DA-10 research stations, and DA-10 Livestock Program staff headed by their focal person, Jamaica L. Docdoc. # (CRS)