DA 7 urges livestock raisers to use UMMB technology

The Department of Agriculture is encouraging livestock raisers to use the Urea

Molasses Mineral Block (UMMB) technology.
The UMMB technology will be a great help in the livestock industry particularly during
the dry seasons where forage and legumes are scarce.
The UMMB formulation has high nutrient content that can supply the nutrient
requirements of livestock animals which will enhance animal weight gain per day
lessening the feed cost for expensive high nutrient feeds.
Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Joel Elumba urged everyone
to massively produce this UMMB as preparation for climate change especially during El
Nio phenomenon.
This is a practical technology as one can make it using the urea, molasses, and
minerals. Unlike the commercial mineral block which available in the market, this UMMB
is four times cheaper.
LGUs who have attended training on UMMB formulation in Bohol and Negros Oriental
expressed their support and interest to this technology in the development of their
livestock industry.

AFTA to give effect on local production

Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Joel Elumba talked about the
impact of ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) to the production of the Philippine
agricultural produces during Philippine Native Animal Development workshop in a hotel
in Mandaue City.
He revealed that the entry of manufactured and agricultural products from the ASEAN
countries has great impact on the local agriculture industry particularly in the production
and market.
The free trade agreement reduces tariffs and removes quantitative restrictions of all
manufactured and agricultural products that will pass from any ports of the Philippines.
The agreement aims in giving consumers a wide range of choices for better quality
produces.
Thus, the free trade will be a channel for high quality imported agricultural products to
enter the Philippine market which cost cheaper than our local produce. In this case,
consumers will choose imported over local agricultural products.
Elumba said this free trade will be disadvantageous to our local farmers. He added that
with the invasion of imported agricultural products in the market, local products will lose
their market and the production of our local produces will diminish due to uncompetitive
demand of local products in the market.
Elumba, then, encouraged farmers to cooperate in developing native animal production.
He said that the practical way to lessen the effect of the influx of foreign products is to
try native animal raising and help it improve to meet the international standards.