San Francisco, Southern Leyte – Thirty-six farmers from the Gabi Farmers Association participated in a three-day training on Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP)-anchored Native Cattle Production and Management held at the RPMJ Integrated Farm, San Francisco, S. Leyte from November 25 to 27, 2025.
The training, which targeted NCRFS/RSBSA registered farmers from Brgy. Gabi, aimed to capacitate local producers on the legal basis and implementation of the GAHP code to ensure standardized cattle production in the region.
The program opened with an overview of the Region 8 Native Cattle Industry status. Discussions focused on the promotion of safe working conditions for farm operators and the fundamental principles of animal workers’ welfare.
Technical farm elements, including site location, building construction, and hazard assessment were also discussed on the following days. Participants underwent sessions on the proper storage of feed and veterinary drugs, animal identification for traceability, and forage establishment. The day also included a practical demonstration on Urea Molasses Mineral Block (UMMB) making and proper animal restraining and transport techniques.
The activity concluded with modules on biosecurity measures and the handling of sick, injured, or disabled animals. The training wrapped up with lectures on environmental management and the importance of meticulous record-keeping for farm sustainability.
“"The training on GAHP-anchored Native Cattle Production and Management has brought a huge change in my understanding of how to improve the quality and cleanliness of cattle management.” said Mira Luna Madjus, one of the training participants. For her, they are now more confident in applying the correct herd health practices as this training helped them plan a more organized cattle production using GAHP standards. She added, “It also provided additional knowledge on proper record-keeping, animal welfare, and biosecurity. This is very important for the further development of our native cattle.”
This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to professionalize native cattle management and ensure that local farmers meet national safety and quality standards.
