At least 14 farmer-members of Tapulao Multipurpose Cooperative (TMC) in Orani, Bataan received additional 25 head of dairy buffaloes from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center at Central Luzon State University (DA-PCC@CLSU) last February 14.
The said cooperative first received a total of 15 dairy buffaloes from DA-PCC@CLSU last November 20. All of the dairy buffaloes entrusted to them were part of the ALAB-Karbawan project of the DA-PCC, according to DA-PCC@CLSU center director Dr. Daniel Aquino.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Aquino explained the rationale of the ALAB-Karbawan project:
“The word ‘ALAB’ in ‘ALAB-Karbawan’ is an acronym meaning Accelerating Livelihood Assets Buildup. It is a Php185M project that is currently being spearheaded by the DA-PCC to ensure the sustainable establishment of a Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) in 16 provinces in the Philippines,” he explained.
“Senator Cynthia Villar sponsored this project,” he added.
ALAB-Karbawan also supports the main goal of the government to increase the local milk production in the country.
“The total milk production in the Philippines right now is about 24M liters a year while our total milk production requirement is around 1.764B liters. There is a huge difference between these two facts that is why Senator Villar allotted budget for this project so that our country’s milk production would significantly increase and many farmers would benefit from it,” he explained.
Bataan province, meanwhile, was among the select pilot areas of the ALAB-Karbawan. Other select provinces were: Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Albay, Palawan, Negros Oriental, Antique, Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, and Misamis Oriental.
“In Bataan, we selected farmers from the towns of Orani and Dinalupihan to be the beneficiaries of the project. Aside from the entrustment of dairy buffaloes, other supports such us free technical trainings on dairy buffalo production and management; milk processing; and two processing plants will be provided and established in this province, respectively,” Dr. Aquino happily said.
“More so, we will assign a person here whom you can immediately consult with if you encounter any problems in dairy buffalo production and management,” he added.
In his welcome remarks, Municipal Agriculturist Arturo Matias expressed his support to the program and technologies of PCC.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Albert Venturina, meanwhile, encouraged the farmer-members of TMC to take care of the buffaloes. In his message, he said: “We are very lucky here in Bataan because you have chosen us as one of the pilot areas of ALAB-Karbawan project.”
The attendees of the activity were the farmer-members of TMC, staff and employees of the local government of Orani, Provincial Government of Bataan, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), DA-PCC National Headquarters, and DA-PCC@CLSU.
