Benguet State University (BSU) has partnered with the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) towards a humane and sustainable animal farming practice, through the establishment of a research and demonstration farm for cage-free chicken. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed on August 7, 2024, at the BSU RDC Hall.

The MOA outlines a collaborative effort between BSU, through the College of Agriculture-Department of Animal Science (CA-DAS), and the AKF, with support from the BSU Office of the University Business Affairs (UBA) and the Research and Extension Sector. The project will utilize the DAS Laboratory Farm to demonstrate and research cage-free chicken production methods. It will also collect data on the performance of laying hens within the caged facility at the BSU Layer Farm.

According to Heidi M. Caguioa, Program Director of AKF, this initiative aims to promote a more animal-friendly and humane production system. She emphasized the potential benefits of the project noting that it would not only enhance academic research but also improve egg production.

“Let today begin for BSU as one of the campus leaders in animal welfare, especially in farm animal production,” she declared.

BSU President Felipe Salaing Comila expressed his appreciation, stating that the event demonstrates our love, care, and responsibility for nature and animals.

To better appreciate the project, the AKF presented a video on managing a cage-free facility showcasing its benefits compared to a caged facility. Leo S. Laruan, the Project Leader, also provided a brief background of the MOA and the project.

After the MOA signing, Vice President for Business Affairs Norma P. Banania and Anna Cris L. Langaoan representing VP for Research and Extension Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres, committed support for the project and looked forward to the positive impact of this collaboration to the community and the environment.

“We are looking forward to a brighter future for the BSU Poultry Project. For years, we’ve been producing eggs in a cage, we did well and we are still doing well. But we look forward to a healthier egg that will be served to the community and making BSU take the lead,” Banania said.

Madeline S. Kingan, CA Secretary, thanked the AKF for their interest in collaborating with BSU in this venture. She reiterated that this initiative shows BSU’s support for the AKF in its goal of advocating for the prevention of animal cruelty and suffering and the protection and promotion of animal welfare.

“We join the AKF in their passionate and dedicated campaign towards humane animal production and we assure you that the department will do whatever it can for the successful implementation of this MOA. We take on the challenge of being the campus leader for the cage-free egg production in the Cordillera Administrative Region,” she assured.//EBawayan