There are 12 thousand head of buffalo in Panama

It is estimated that in Panama there are about 12 thousand head of buffalo cattle, since arriving in Panama in 1975, which come from Trinidad and Tobago.

This animal adapts to swampy terrain, with a lot of vegetation, does not suffer from so many diseases, with proper care and stands out for the nutritional value of meat and meat products such as yogurtcheese, mozzarella cheese and its milk.

Minister D.Agricultural development, Augusto Valderrama He said the buffalo is a noble animal, which serves as a social tool for food production and impact on the economy of the region, for which he asked the producers to come together so that future governments continue to support them, for the benefit of food security in the country.

Valderrama, pointed out that this was an obligation National governmentfighting for the demolition of the sixth border, hunger, misery and inequality, through work and production,

Minister of Agricultural development, Augusto Valderramahe highlighted the work being done to save buffalo production in Panama, at the inauguration of the first seminar – a workshop on breeding and caring for buffalo in Panama, which was held in the Compa-Mida room in Santiago, Veraguas province.

Signs of mida holder were given during the seminar workshop, which will be held two days in a row in Veraguas and Coclesito (Colón), with the aim of continuing to strengthen this species that has been forgotten for a long time and that thanks to the efforts of the Government of President Laurentin Cortiz Cohen and the efforts of Minister Valderrama to improve their genetics and the number of these animals in Panama.

He stated that important steps are being taken in this direction to strengthen this sector concrete actions such as incentives, genetics and training.

During the meeting, recognition plaques were presented to v Minister Valderramawho thanked for the gesture and pointed out that the fruits of work on improving animal production are already visible, which should be considered a flag for poor and rural areas and the commitment of the state to develop its production, as a generator of social peace.

The The Directorate for Livestock, through the recently created National Buffalo Program of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (Mida) was in charge of organizing this activity, aimed at 80 technicians, small and medium producers.

Avelino Ureña, from the National Livestock Administration and Juan Rodríguez, National President of the National Buffalo Association of Panama (ANABUPA), gave welcome remarks and an introduction to this workshop.

Argentinean Gustavo Crudelli, a buffalo expert from the National University of Chaco Austral, gave a lecture on the generalities, management, reproduction and nutrition of this animal; In addition, Mexican Ismael Coronel, president of the Mexican Buffalo Association and founding member of the American Buffalo Breeders Federation, gave a lecture on the history of buffalo in America; For her part, Angélica Pluchino Arias, a Costa Rican producer, offered statistical data on production in her country, and for Panama, José Dimas Espinosa, representative of Mida, spoke about beef marketing. buffalo in Panama.

Exhibitors also received recognition plaques, as well as Manuel Gonzalez Cano, adviser in the office of Minister Valderrama, promoter of this movement and moderator of this seminar. The mayor and producer of the Omar Torrijos Herrera district in Colón, Eulalio Yangüez Ruiz, was also honored for his support of buffalo production, as well as the development of Coclesito, the first community where these animals arrived in 1975, on the initiative of General Omar Torrijos Herrera.

The day continues this Friday, April 14, with a community field day Coclesito, Colonin which it was announced that 25 buffaloes would be delivered to continue strengthening the genetics of these animals in this sector of the country.