USG Officers meet USM President
July 28, 2026
A government program that supports livestock-based enterprises may open new opportunities for instruction, research, and extension at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), following an initial discussion on the Department of Agriculture (DA) Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) Program with officials from the DA Regional Field Office XII and the Provincial Veterinary Office of Cotabato on July 28, at the Office of the President, Administration Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.
Present during the discussion were University President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel, USM Agricultural Research and Development Center (USMARDC) Director Dr. Jurhamid C. Imlan, College of Agriculture Dean Dr. Tamie C. Solpot, DA Regional Field Office XII representatives led by Ms. Elma L. Dalante, Agriculturist II, and Dr. John Jiglo M. Teaño of the Provincial Veterinary Office of Cotabato, together with their respective teams.
During the meeting, DA officials presented the LEED, a program that provides support to qualified institutions in developing livestock-based enterprises. They also discussed the program’s objectives, implementation process, and the technical and administrative requirements that participating institutions must meet.
University officials, meanwhile, shared initial ideas on the possible participation of USM in the program, including opportunities in small ruminant dairy production. The discussion also explored how it can contribute to the university’s instruction, research, extension, and livestock development efforts should the university decide to pursue the program.
Participants likewise exchanged ideas on the technical, environmental, and operational requirements under the LEED Program, including farm site suitability, infrastructure, and other compliance measures that would need to be satisfied before any project could move forward.
