Philippines needs more cows for milk programme

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Philippines needs more cows for milk programme

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/6/16/asia/11230700 & sec=asia

 

MANILA: As if trying to win over a divided nation wasn't enough, President

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo faces another challenge as the Philippines combats a

shortage of cows.

 

A programme at schools to feed some of the country's 12 million malnourished

children needs 12,000 more cows to provide enough milk, said Corazon Soliman,

the social welfare secretary.

 

Arroyo, who is fighting opposition allegations of election cheating and illegal

gambling payoffs to her family, made the feeding programme one of her 10 key

campaign promises when she won a fresh term last year.

 

Of the 12 million children most at risk, 2.2 million are underweight and 2.86

million are shorter than average, according to the National Anti-Poverty

Commission.

 

Soliman said the department of agriculture was giving grants and loans to

farmers to encourage them to breed milking cows. ? Reuters