The Department of Agriculture 6 has assisted small ruminant or goat raisers in Iloilo form a multi-purpose cooperative.

Ernie Rosendo Villanueva, regional small ruminant coordinator, said the cooperative was formed after some goat and sheep raisers in Iloilo attended the 3rd Goat Congress at Cagayan de Oro City on April 25.

Villanueva said he is optimistic that the cooperative will propel the small ruminant industry from backyard raising into commercial production through proper linkages and sourcing of breeder stocks.

About 50 goat and sheep raisers attended the pre-membership education seminar conducted by the Provincial Cooperative Development Office as a first step in organizing the group. Ildefonso Toledo, OIC provincial agriculturist of Iloilo, said the the move to organize the goat and sheep raisers serve as a springboard for the region's goat industry to help meet world market market.

The pioneer officers of the small ruminant MPC are: Teopicio Tan, chairman of the board, and Laarni Carpio, Bipi Cantara, Salvador Pasaporte, Larry Locara and Manuel Porque, directors.*

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