By EDD K. USMAN, SDN, Twitter: @edd1819, Instagram: @bluestar0910; Facebook: SDN — Science and Digital News
DAVAO CITY (SDN) — GOATS have invaded the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) in this city. Well, not literally.
Today, October 16, starts the inaugural three-day Halal Goat FIESTA of the Department of Science and Technology through its Philippine Council on Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).
“FIESTA” stands for Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda. The event revolves around the theme, “Glocalizing the Halal Goat Industry.”
The government has an vital initiative for this through the DOST National Halal Program, that DOST XI Regional Director Dr. Anthony C. Sales said, “envisions for a global competitive Philippine Halal industry empowered by science, technology, and innovation (STI).”
He said the program’s implementation is being done by DOST and its partners from the government, academe, industry and civil society organizations.
“This Halal Goat FIESTA focuses on promoting and showcasing local and Halal Goat R&D (research and development) technologies that can be utilized by every Juan and Juana. With the theme ‘Glocalizing the Halal Goat Industry,’ we look at the bigger picture,” Sales said.
The DOST XI head said FIESTA’s aim is to develop the R&D technologies on halal goat and adopted across the world but still “friendly” the local market’s needs.
Sales emphasized the need to support the Philippines’ halal industry.
PCAARRD Executive Director Dr. Reynaldo noted the Council has already recognized that producing halal goats brings potential.
“Over the past nine years, the Council has invested Php29 million for Halal Goat S&T. DOST-PCAARRD has recently approved and funded the Php35-million program, Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D or NICER — Halal Goat Science and Innovation Center that will run until 2022.
“Under the leadership of SKSU and CAARRDEC, we hope that the initiative will continue and be sustainable even after the DOST support ends,” Evora said.
In photos, here is the first Halal Goat FIESTA at USeP, Davao City, Mindanao:
SMAARRDEC means Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium; CAARRDEC is Cotabato Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium; ILAARDEC means Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium; CVAARRDEC stands for Cagayan Valley Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium; CLAARRDEC is Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium. (SDN)
All photographs snapped by SDN — Science and Digital News.
This content was updated for more information, 9:30 a.m., Oct. 17, 2019.