THE Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is stepping up efforts to promote the emerging lamb sector of Negros Occidental that will complement the other established commodities in the province.
PVO, through the ongoing Livestock and Dairy Fair at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, conducted lamb meat processing and cooking demonstration Wednesday, April 26.
Two chef instructors and four culinary students of the Bacolod Academy for Culinary Arts led the activity attended by paravets from cities of Talisay, Silay and Victorias and town of E.B. Magalona, teachers from the Department of Education Divisions of Negros Occidental and Bacolod, and walk-in participants.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said goat meat is an established commodity for the “masa” while lamb meat is positioned to attract high-end customers as its market niche.
“Because of its higher cost compared to goat’s, lamb dishes are currently being offered to famous hotels and restaurants especially for foreign taste,” Decena said, adding that the province is also banking on the help of culinary arts students to help promote the commodity by coming up with various lamb menus.
Among the dishes prepared during the cooking demo were Lamb Shanks Canope with Tomato Salad, Lamb Meatballs in Polenta with Tomato and Black Olives Vinaigrette, Couscous Salad with Lam Gozilash and Lamb Loin Chops.
These were then offered for public tasting.
Earlier, the PVO implemented the Negros Pork and Lamb Product Demo Project to help backyard livestock producers, including goat raisers.
The Alliance of Hog Raisers Associations of Negros Occidental and Sheep and Goat Breeders Association in Negros Occidental were each given kiosk and freezer units by the provincial government to display and sell their products in front of the PVO Office at the Capitol Grounds in Bacolod City.
Aside from lamb meat, other products sold include pork, and processed and frozen foods like tocino, chorizo, ham, sausage, among others.
In terms of supply, Negros Occidental currently has enough lamb stocks.
Decena said the Provincial Government has 200 heads fattened sheep for sale.
These include 100 heads at the Negros First Ranch in Murcia, 15 heads in Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, and 85 in multiplier farms of Hinigaran and Sagay City.
