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BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
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Superior duck breed
A NEW breed of duck in the Philippines is primed to improve the local duck industry – which is of course anchored on the support of the private sector.
The Itik Pinas (IP), which was launched during the recent National Science and Technology Week (NSTW), is a genetically superior breeder duck.
Experts have said that the IP improves the egg-laying performance of the Philippine Mallard Duck from 55 percent to 70 percent per year with an egg weight of 65 grams.
They are saying that this is most suited for balut processing.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCAARRD-DOST) is optimistic that with the IP, the duck industry in the country can be improved, especially with strengthened linkages with the private sector.
As this developed, a duck commodity research and development (R&D) review and stakeholders’ consultation meeting was thus held recently at the office of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) for this purpose.
Attended by technology developers, commercial raisers, farm owners, faculty from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), and a private animal nutritionist expert, the review and consultation meeting aimed to assess present endeavors and identify future initiatives on Itik Pinas.
Through the meeting, the PCAARRD-DOST has provided the private sector an opportunity to comment on the project and provide suggestions on marketing and packaging of the product.
“The government will not only regulate the duck industry but also position itself to develop enabling technologies, strategies, and policies,” says Dr. Synan S. Baguio, officer-in-charge of the Livestock Research Division (LRD) of PCAARRD.
“We will also seek the guidance of the private sector in establishing specialized laboratories like the Swine Genetic Analytical Service Laboratory,” Baguio added.
Developed under the project which was dubbed“Development of Sustainable Breeder Philippine Mallard Duck Production System, the IP, as an innovative technology in duck raising, aims to address the problem of the lack of quality breeders, and continuous increase in production cost.
The Itik Pinas consists of three types – IP-Itim, IP-Khaki, and the IP-Kayumanggi.
Following observations, the IP-Itim lays larger eggs at more than 65 grams each.
The IP-Itimis characterized by its black plumage and white feather markings in the neck and orange to brown shank.
On the other hand, the IP-Khaki produces more eggs as it shows the highest number of eggs within a 40-week laying period.
The male duck has a brown plumage and darker brown pattern in the head, while the female has plain brown plumage.
While the IP-Kayumanggi lays more and bigger eggs.
It is characterized by its plain plumage and with small body weighing about 1.2 kilograms./PN
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