Mindanao Cattle Program MinDA AIDS MAFAR-BARMM IN HALAL BEEF PRODUCTION

On Saturday, March 27, I will lead officials of the Bangsamoro Region in an orientation tour of a Cattle Fattening Facility in Polomolok, South Cotabato where ill-fed and emaciated cattle are nourished well for 100 days before slaughter.

The visit, arranged by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), is the first step in the implementation of the Cattle Development Program in the Bangsamoro Region as it prepares to launch the production of the high-value Bangsamoro Halal Beef both for local consumption and export.

BARMM Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Mohammad Yacob and Chairman Mangontawar Macacuna of the Bangsamoro Development Agency will lead the BARMM delegation.

MinDA livestock program consultant Arnel Corpuz, who worked in a 50,000-head Wagyu Feedlot in Australia for 11 years, will conduct the on-site orientation for BARMM officials.

On Thursday, March 18, MinDA, MAFAR-BARMM and BDA signed a Memorandum of Cooperation witnessed by Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson.

In the dialogue which followed the MOA signing, I introduced to the BARMM officials the MinDA Cattle Development Program suggesting that it could be the first area of engagement for MinDA and MAFAR-BARMM along with BDA.

Minister Yacob accepted the proposal to the delight of Ambassador Robinson who pledge his government’s support for the program.

Initially, the target is to establish a pilot Cattle Fattening Feedlot in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao near the Triple A Halal Abattoir in Cotabato City.

Later, other pilot farms will be established in the remaining four provinces of BARMM, namely Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawitawi.

The feedlots will produce cattle sourced locally and from Australia which will be raised and slaughtered following Halal standards which would be marketed both here and abroad.

The Bangsamoro Cattle Program is expected to introduce to the market the first Halal Beef in time for the Qurban, the feast of the animal sacrifice during Eid’l Adha, in July this year.

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(Design of the Bangsamoro Halal Beef label was prepared by MinDA artist Samuel Ponsica while the two other photos were supplied by the Adelaide River Farm.)