By MARK ANTHONY N. MANUEL

April 26, 2012, 4:13pm

 

 

 

SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ, Nueva Ecija – The South Korean Government, through the Korean International Coordination Agency (KOICA), has advanced the capability of the Philippine Carabao Center’s (PCC) genetic improvement program (GIP) laboratory for the genetic evaluation and conservation of the farm animal.

 

KOICA has installed a variety of state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to further advance the existing PCC's GIP which is aimed at improving the productivity of the buffaloes in the country.

 

The project, titled “Enhancing Livestock Sector Performance in the Philippines” made possible the installation of 50 new pieces of equipment in the PCC main headquarters and at the PCC at Central Luzon State University (PCC at CLSU) here.

 

The laboratory equipment will be used in performance test, genetic evaluation, distribution of prepotency, and conservation of genetic resources.

 

The installation of the office equipment is also expected to improve the institutionalized data capture system, genetic data analysis and evaluation system, and unified web-based genetic information system which are highly needed in the program.

 

Earlier, PCC personnel were sent to Korea for the training and workshop on the proper utilization of the installed equipment.

 

In addition, 10 pieces of laboratory equipment were put up in the Artificial Insemination Center at Barangay Joson in Carranglan town, which is under the PCC at CLSU office.

 

Thirty representatives from KOICA came to help in the installation of the equipment. They were composed of seven members of the project management committee, seven researchers, and 16 suppliers