ET technology seen improving local goat production

29 Sep 2024, 16:08 by Ada Pelonia, https://www.facebook.com/, https://www.facebook.com/BusinessMirror/ · BusinessMirror

Agri-Commodities

The country’s goat-raising industry will benefit from the embryo transfer (ET) technology which boosts the reproductive efficiency of goat farming, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

According to the DOST, the process involves superovulation to maximize the oocyte reserves of a female goat, followed by the transfer of fertilized embryos to recipient females.

“The method increases both the number of offspring and the speed of genetic exchange between herds, thus accelerating the improvement of goat breeds,” it said in a statement.

The DOST Region 2, in collaboration with the Isabela State University (ISU) and DOST’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), reported the successful implementation of its technological innovation.

According to DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora, five kids were successfully produced using the ET technology, which is part of the Innovative Systems in Advancing Technology-Based Goat Production project funded by the agency.

ISU President Ricmar P. Aquino said technological innovations are essential to goat production. She said key technologies such as semen collection, semen processing, and artificial insemination for small ruminants would modernize goat production and enhance the efficiency and profitability of goat farming.

For his part, DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. said the ET technology enables the production of multiple offspring from a single female goat, significantly enhancing reproductive efficiency.

According to the department, the country’s total goat inventory has declined recently. It noted that the current inventory is estimated at 3.86 million heads, a decrease from previous counts, with over 99 percent of the country’s goat population sourced from smallholder farms.

“The situation highlights the pressing need for improved goat meat production to meet rising demand. Goat meat, or chevon, has been gaining popularity due to its lower calorie, cholesterol, and saturated fat content compared to other meats such as beef, pork, and chicken,” it said.

“Additionally, the goat industry provides not only nutritious meat and milk but also supports agricultural diversification and offers a vital source of income for small-scale farmers.”

The department said Dr. Cristino Nayga delivered the first ET kid in June 2023, with four additional kids produced from three other dams in the following months. It added that the kids were derived from dams with a 75 percent Boer bloodline mated with purebred Boer bucks.

According to DOST, the experiment marked a significant milestone in ISU’s breeding program, which has been looking at enhancing the population of high-quality, true-to-type goats in Region 2, now branded as the “Cagayan Valley Signature Goat.”

“DOST has acknowledged the potential of the ET technology to address the challenges faced by the goat industry and enhance productivity for small-hold farmers and has committed to provide essential solutions to strengthen the industry in the Philippines.”

It said the innovative approach would enhance livestock management and productivity while positioning the goat industry for a more competitive and sustainable future.

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