4 LGUs seen to pilot cattle raising program in the province

CEBU, Philippines — Four towns in Northern Cebu are foreseen to revive its agricultural landscapes and stimulate local economies not only through the plantation of corn and other crops, but also through cattle farming. It is seen as a potential machinery in making Cebu as a premium supplier of branded beef, including Wagyu.

This is also expected to boost the province’s tourism allure, said Manny Piñol, former Agriculture secretary and current food security adviser of Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

He said Bogo City and the towns of Medellin, Daanbantayan, and San Remigio have the possibility of transforming over 10,000 hectares of formerly sugarcane-planted land into cattle grazing and feed production zones following the closure of the area’s sugar mill.

The idea gained traction shortly after the 1st Cebu Food Security Forum held in Medellin last July 10, where veteran cattleman Arnel Corpuz conducted a lecture and later surveyed the vast abandoned farmland.

Corpuz, known for his work with Great Arch Farm, saw strong potential for cultivating sorghum, soybeans, and corn on these lands—crops essential to sustaining a confined cattle-raising system.

He projected that the area could feed up to 60,000 heads of cattle yearly, far surpassing Cebu’s annual beef consumption estimated at 16,000 heads, or roughly one kilo per capita.

During his presentation, Corpuz also proposed a Wagyu production and beef upgrading program to elevate the province's reputation in the culinary and tourism sectors.

This initiative, he emphasized, would require intensive community education focused on cattle breeding, confined fattening, and silage management to create an efficient and sustainable supply chain.

“All that is needed to undertake this program would be a massive educational campaign on cattle breeding, raising and fattening in confined areas and the development of the silage production areas,” said Piñol.

Earlier, a team led by Dr. Ronald Oporto of Bogo City and Gov. Baricuatro’s agriculture consultant Salvin Lagumbay arranged meetings with the four local chief executives.

Mayor Edwin Salimbangon of Medellin, Mayor Mayel Martinez of Bogo City, Mayor Mariano Martinez of San Remigio, and Mayor Gilbert Arrabis Jr. of Daanbantayan expressed enthusiastic support for revitalizing agriculture and aquaculture in their jurisdictions.

These leaders share similar local conditions—extensive idle farmlands and expansive coastlines suitable for fish farming—and now aim to contribute meaningfully to the province-wide five-year food security program initiated by the new governor.

Farmers and fisherfolks from these LGUs also joined last recent forum were they learned more on integrated modules on crop production, cattle farming, and fish cage cultivation designed to reactivate agricultural productivity and empower local stakeholders.

The private-sector-led forum has drawn support from multiple government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture Region 7, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Agricultural Credit Policy Council,  Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) , and the Cebu Provincial Government.

The highlight of the event will be the formal presentation of Baricuatro’s five-year Cebu Food Security Program, which outlines a vision for inclusive growth through modernized agriculture, community engagement, and sustainable practices that aim to make Cebu a benchmark for food resilience and even in agri-tourism. (CEBU NEWS)