The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing to complete two facilities that will produce protein-enriched copra meal (PECM) starting this year.
PECM aims to replace soya which the country imports. Soya represents 20 to 40 percent of the feed ratio.
Dr. Ruth Miclat-Sonaco, DA-National Livestock Program director, in a briefing last week, said replacing soya with PECM will reduce feed cost by 40 percent.
Sonaco said the two PECM manufacturing facilities have a total budget of P100 million and are eyed to be put up in Batangas and in North Cotabato.
Sonaco said two more similar facilities with a same budget of P100 million are eyed for construction next year.
Copra meal is commonly used as an animal feed ingredient as a source of protein but its poor digestibility, low protein quality and vulnerability to aflatoxin contamination makes it a less desired alternative for soya.
According to the Department of Science and Technology, PECM undergoes bioprocessing through solid-state fermentation to improve its nutritive value and digestibility.
