PCC highlights efforts in addressing climate change

As the lead agency for livestock biotechnology, the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) takes innovative actions to deliberately address climate change.

These techniques were presented by Dr. Eric Palacpac, PCC National R&D coordinator, during the “Consultative Workshop on Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA)” of the Department of Agriculture.

In his presentation titled “PCC’s Projects and Activities in Addressing Climate Change”, Dr. Palacpac highlighted some mitigating measures in reducing methane emission from livestock animals, particularly the carabao. He cited previous research studies that stated the comparative impact of methane on climate change is over 20 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period.

To help address this issue, the PCC adheres to the application of improved management practices in buffalo production system, organized breeding and selection, utilization of crop residues as feedstuff, waste management thru vermicomposting, and cryobanking livestock genetic resources that provide important medium for addressing changes in the environment.

The workshop was held at the PCC national headquarters last January 21-23. The three-day activity was participated in by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and the National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center (NFFTC).