Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the expansion of the Protein-Enriched Copra Meal (PECM) commercialization project to Western Visayas (Region VI) to address the ongoing challenges of rising feed costs.
The project intends to boost local livestock production by providing farmers with a sustainable and cost-effective alternative protein source for animal feeds.
“The program not only helps reduce feed costs but also supports the local economy by creating new markets for coconut by-products, which are often underutilized,” Tiu Laurel said.
The project, launched in 2022 in response to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, gathered initial success in CALABARZON (Regions IV-A) and SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XI).
Developed by the University of the Philippines-Los Baños’ Biotech Center, the PECM technology enhances the protein content of copra meal, a by-product of coconut farming, to approximately 45 percent, making it a viable substitute for expensive imported soybean meal.
Feeding trials demonstrated the efficacy of PECM in finfish and shrimp diets, resulting in feed cost reductions of 3.9 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively.
“The PECM program not only helps reduce feed costs but also supports the local economy by creating new markets for coconut by-products, which are often underutilized,” Tiu Laurel said, adding that the project will positively impact local farmers and feed producers who are grappling with rising input costs.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to disrupt global feed ingredient supply chains, keeping prices for essential commodities like soybean meal, feed wheat, and corn elevated.
The DA said the PECM project is crucial in addressing the impact of global challenges on Philippine livestock production.
The project is a collaborative effort between the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development, UP Los Baños and various farmers’ cooperatives and associations.
