The Department of Agriculture (DA) is reviewing a goat breeding program that lost more than half of its animals due to poor care, to make sure future projects benefit farmers.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said Tuesday that the review will decide if the program at the Pangasinan Research and Experiment Center in Sual should continue.
“This assessment will look at both the program’s technical viability and the resources required to sustain it,” he said.
The Commission on Audit (COA) found in its 2024 report that 52 of 101 Anglo Nubian and Saanen goats died because of inadequate feeding and nutrition.
COA noted that funding gaps are now being addressed, with goat feed included in the 2025 budget and additional funds for care in the 2026 budget proposal.
Records show that under the previous administration, the program had no long-term budget support, moving forward with only basic funding for feed and veterinary needs.
Tiu Laurel said the review will guide whether the DA revives, scales down, or ends the program. In the meantime, the remaining goats will be given to farmers in storm-hit Catanduanes.
The 140-hectare Pangasinan facility may also be temporarily used for high-value crops and as an innovation hub.
The DA said this will help “increase local food production with value-added products and services to boost rural agro-industrial development.”