The 8th Bohol Dairy Festival, held at the town of San Miguel in Bohol on July 17, 2024, highlighted the essence of agricultural innovation with the theme “Malungtarong Panggatasan, Malahutayong Panginabuhian” (Sustainable Dairy, Sustainable Livelihood).
The town was chosen as the venue for this year’s celebration because of the visible growth of the dairy industry, which contributes to regional development.
The First Consolidated Cooperative Along Tanon Seaboards-San Miguel branch is the recipient of the PHP40-million silage production and marketing enterprise from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), a project that aims to enhance farmers’ and industry players’ access to a strategic network of infrastructure, market information, and support services.
The festival featured the good practice of the local government of San Miguel for the annual provision of milk supplies to every pregnant woman. Diverse dairy products and technologies for animal disease prevention tools were also showcased.
Dr. Maria Dinah Loculan, center director of the DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Ubay Stcok Farm (DA-PCC at USF), led a milk toast ceremony, symbolizing unity among the stakeholders and hope for an abundant flow of milk in the province.
Other dairy developments in Bohol, which were presented by Dr. Caro B. Salces, deputy executive director of DA-PCC, are the establishment of the Dairy Box-Tubigon, the Dairy Processing Plant with Retort Facility in Ubay, and the soon-to-rise Dairy Box in Candijay.
Other highlights include recognition of winners for best dressed carabao; awarding of the top 3 farmers who have the highest milk production for fiscal year 2023 in Bohol; signing of a memorandum of agreement for the establishment of a community-based feedmill in San Miguel; distribution of production support equipment and supplies from PLGU Bohol and NDA; graduation of participants who completed the Basic Dairy Husbandry for Cattle conducted by ATI and NDA Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP); and learning sessions on the effects and impact of El Niño and entrepreneurial mind-setting for dairy farmers.
“This festival might be a great opportunity for us farmers and aspiring ones to learn about new technologies and advancements and improve our farming practices,” said Nestor Lozada, a local dairy farmer.
Dr. Stella Marie D. Lapiz, provincial veterinarian, shared the milestones of the Bohol Dairy Development Program, where attending dairy farmers were inspired to be part of the growing dairy industry in the province.
Dr. Lapiz emphasized that the dairy industry boosted the local economy of Bohol by generating more jobs and providing a sustainable livelihood.
