RP to host 7th World Buffalo Congress

All is set for the holding of the 7th World Buffalo Congress in the country on Oct. 20-23 at the Manila Shangri-la Hotel in Makati City.

The four-day congress has for its theme "Buffalo-based Enterprises: Development Prospects Under Changing Trade Regulations and Consumer Demand".

Organizers of the international meeting are the International Buffalo Federation (IBF), Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), and Philippine Society of Animal Science (PSAS).

Sponsors are the United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for Asian and Pacific Region (FFTC-ASPAC), National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), and Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD).

Collaborating agencies are the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), DA-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Livestock Development Council (LDC), National Dairy Authority (NDA), and Philippine Society of Animal Nutritionists (PHILSAN).

The congress will review present knowledge on water buffalo production in various regions of the world; and discuss the growing role of water buffalo and determine more efficient utilization of the animal in the context of the current and future socioeconomi developments.

The International Buffalo Federation president is Dr. Libertado C. Cruz, PCC executive director.

Other officers of IBF are Anontio Borghese (Italy), general secretary; Hugh Popence (United States) and Luigi Zicarelli (Italy), executive officers; Jesus Reggeti (Venezuela), vice president for America; Surendra Ranjhan (India), VP for Asia; Luigi Zicarelli (Italy), VP for Europe; Barry Lemcke (Australia), VP for Oceania; and S.G. Hassan (Egypt), VP for Africa.

The honorary committee is composed of Steve Bennet (USA), Giovanni de Francisscis (Italy), and Pablo G. Moser (Venezuela).

Dr. Cruz and PASAS president Ricardo Acabado said that the Congress theme was chosen on the federation’s belief that recent and incoming global trade developments would have significant impact on the viability of buffalo-based enterprises around the world.

"The various stakeholders therefore need to fully understand and appreciate the implications of these emerging global trade regulations and future consumer demands for buffalo-derived products," they stressed.

The congress will discuss the new knowledge and technologies derived out of conscientious efforts of many scientists and practitioners dedicating their time and energies in their desire to improve productivity and profitability out of buffalo-based enterprises.

"Presentations and discussions are likewise scheduled on emerging biotechnologies and its potential utility to further improve water boffalo production," Dr. Cruz and Acabado said.– Rudy A. Fernandez