CONNECTIVITY OF THE CHAIN IN BUFFALO-BASED ENTERPRISE IS A BIG ‘MUST’

Successful mainstreaming of milk-based products usually depends on quality milk production, good processing of a variety of products, and effective marketing.

These factors are interlinked to ensure that the quality of the dairy products is of high standard and the need of the market is met in a sustainable loop.

In some instances, though, a certain disconnect happens along the chain. Some sectors, especially the dairy farmers, only focus on production while some are on processing, and others on the marketing aspect.

One distinctive group of dairy farmers has all these three components in the dairy value chain covered. This is the Rosario Dairy Farmers Cooperative (RDFC) in La Union, which is fully assisted by the PCC@DMMMSU.

This cooperative, as described by its chairman Pablito Lino, 60, of Joson, Rosario, La Union, opened a new door of opportunities to buffalo raisers in the area since its establishment last 2008. Currently, the RDFC has 38 members who are all engaged in the production of milk for their processing and marketing.

Its co-op has even expanded its potential with the inauguration of the dairy products outlet named “Rosario Dairy and Pastries” last February 2017.

“Our co-op is filled with hope because of this kind of facility, which paves way for a sustainable income and higher profit,” Pablito said.

At the time when they do not have their own processing plant yet, each of the members of the association looked for buyers of raw milk, like the Indian nationals. But now that they are processing their produce to dairy products, they don’t have to go looking for customers anymore. They only sell raw milk when there is an excess from the volume that they process.

“Our processing plant is indeed a big help for us because we have ready products to sell to the public,” Pablito emphasized.

Select members of the association underwent training on milk processing under the auspices of the PCC@DMMMSU and the DTI.

The LGU of Rosario, La Union also helped the association by allocating a lot where the processing plant was erected. The PCC and DTI, on the other hand, financed the construction of a building and the purchase of the pieces of equipment needed by the processing plant.

“I am very grateful for all the help that we received and the support that our cooperative is getting. In my case, due to my earnings in dairying, I was able to support my child to college,” Pablito said.

He also said the other members, just like him, are now able to earn more money because of their dairy venture.

Annalyn Tade, the plant manager, said that aside from the members of the co-op, they also buy milk from other dairy farmers in Aringay, Pangasinan, which deliver about 40 liters of milk a day. In addition, the PCC@Mariano Marcos State University (PCC@MMSU) based in Batac, Ilocos Norte, also delivers to the plant around 200 liters of milk during school break.

Among the products produced by the “Rosario Dairy and Pastries” are pasteurized milk, choco milk, blue berry yogurt, lactojuice, pastillas, espasol, ice candy, and ube halaya, which is a consigned product.

According to Annalyn, their fast-selling product is pasteurized milk, sold in big volumes.

With the assistance of PCC and other agencies, many members of the co-op have increased their milk harvest, which means higher income.

The plant manager said they remain focused in both the production of milk and processing of products.

Products quality is maintained based on industry standards of handling milk. Because of this, consumers are assured that the products they buy from the outlet are worth their money.

“Ensuring the quality of our products, first and foremost, is already our marketing strategy,”

Annalyn explains, “Our processors have undergone trainings on dairy products development and processing. And we are proud to say that they were trained by no less than experts at the PCC national headquarters in Nueva Ecija,” she added.

With the hardwork of the RDFC buffalo raisers matched with the skills of milk processors and good marketing strategies, the co-op is certain of its bright future.