VSU DEVELOPS DEWORMER FOR GOATS
A DEWORMER made from extracts of Makahiya ( Mimosa pudica), caimito and Makabuhay ( Tinosphora rumphii) has been developed for goats, packaged into 500 mg capsules by Dr. Tomas J. Fernandez of the Visayas State University in Baybay City, Leyte.
The dewormer can control Haemonchus contortus, the most harmful parasite in goats that attaches itself to the goat’s stomach and feeds on its blood, thereby causing anemia and ultimately death of the animal if left untreated.
The MCM ( Makahiya-Caimito-Makabuhay) dewormer was proven effective as it contains anthraquinones and flavonoids which kill adult stages of the parasite; alkaloid, which purges the dead worms through the feces; and tannin which heals traumatic lesions inside the goat’s stomach.
The dewormer has been proven to have no side effects and can thus be given to pregnant does and rid them of parasites before they give birth. Since it is all natural, it does not contribute to anthelmintic resistance, a problem plaguing the industry caused by the overuse of chemical drenches in the past, particularly albendazole.
To ensure that the newborn survives, a coco-water drench was formulated by Dr. Lolito C. Bestil, also of VSU. This nutritional supplement is a high glucose drink that contains coconut water, dextrose powder, liquid seaweed, and vitaminmineral premix. It has the ability to alleviate hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in newborn kids and enable faster weight gain in the first 30 days of the kids. This supplement is intended for orphaned kids, those born to underfed does during late pregnancy, and those whose dams have mastitis and other metabolic disorders during early lactation. Philip believes that Filipino farmers need to have more choices when it comes to farm equipment. At the moment, KAMICO is working with government agencies like PhilMech as technical support in training and educating farmers on the proper ways to use their machines. Some LGUs have also expressed interest in buying units for their communities.
FIT Corea also gives discounts to OFWs. All they need to do is show their OFW ID when purchasing a machine. “The OFW is the hero of the Philippines,” Philip says. “(They’re always looking for things to invest in)... If they have a rice mill, how much can they earn a month? Fifty thousand.”
Of all the wonderful machines on display at KIEMSTA 2018, what Philip thinks would be the most useful in the Philippines are the direct seeding machines, which automatically shoots seeds into the soil; the mini cultivator, a hand tractor with different implements; rice mills; and poultry farm sanitizers. He also thinks that orchard machines will be useful in the Philippine setting.
“In Korea, every farmer has their own rice mill,” he shares. “They make money (selling rice) instead of selling palay.” He thinks the same can happen in the Philippines, across different crops, if the proper machinery is used. “Our slogan (is) ‘farmers are our future,’” Philip says. “Because if they become rich and stable, the Philippines is stable.”