BONTOC, Mountain Province – – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Veterinary continue to infuse grass-eating animals as alternative sources of livelihood of local farmers in the province.
Rodel Bagawi, chief of the Office of the Provincial Veterinary, said 11 sheep of the dorper breed were recently distributed to selected farmer–beneficiaries.
The sheep which consist of one ram (male) and 10 ewes (female) were provided by the DA – Cordillera regional office under its livestock dispersal program.
Bagawi said there will be another sheep dispersal to be conducted as more local farmers expressed interest in breeding sheep in their farms as additional source of livelihood. Breeding sheep in the province, he said, is very viable since it has plenty of grass and sheep are adaptable to the climate and conditions of the province.
Veterinarians said breeding of sheep is a good business as each mother sheep can give birth every six months or three times within two years. Normally, the mother sheep can give birth to two offspring for every delivery or six every two years.
With proper care and feeding management, sheep especially the purebred dorper ram can reach a live weight of 90-120 kilograms and ewes 50-80 kgs. in five months.
Bagawi said raising sheep is advantageous to farmers as sheep also helps in weeding their plantations and at the same time produce fertilizers through their feces.
The DA in partnership with local veterinary offices has been dispersing livestock including grass-eating animals like goat, carabao and cow and now sheep to qualified farmers for their additional sources of livelihood.
Meanwhile, Bagawi advised those who are breeding grass-eating animals to plant grass in their farms or on idle lots to ensure the availability of food for their animals.**By Andrew Doga-ong
