The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Cagayan State University (DA-PCC at CSU) conducted a Social Preparation Training (SPT) for farmer-members of Apayao Piat Agriculture Cooperative (APAC) and Integrated Farmers’ Cooperative (IFC) of Piat, Cagayan to better prepare them with carabao entrepreneurship on February 26-27, 2025 at the DA-PCC at CSU’s training center, Bauang, Piat, Cagayan.
Organized by the Carabao-Based Enterprise Development (CBED) unit of the DA-PCC at CSU, the training aimed to support farmers in qualifying for the programs that the DA-PCC offers.
Celso G. Quinet, Project Assistant IV, shared a comprehensive lecture on DA-PCC’s mandates and programs such as the carabao upgrading and enterprise development.
“The DA-PCC wants to help you conserve and propagate your carabaos, which will become a source of milk, meat, and other byproducts. You will benefit from carabao farming,” he added.
Benedicto B. Blanza, Project Assistant III, tackled the topic: “Pagsasanay para sa Panlipunang Paghahanda ng mga Magsasakang nais Makilahok sa Proyektong Gatasang Kalabaw” to help farmers appreciate the actual purpose of the training. He emphasized how their lives could improve after venturing into carabao-based enterprise. He inspired them by sharing the success stories of dairy farmers in the region that motivated the participants to engage in carabao farming.
To ensure that farmers understand their responsibilities in carabao farming, Romulo A. Salas, CBED coordinator, explained the details and technical aspects of the contract. This important document involves the DA-PCC, the cooperative, and outlines what farmers need to undertake. He emphasized the farmers’ primary responsibilities and obligations regarding carabao propagation.
The training duration highlighted the farmers’ assertiveness as they asked important questions, participated in the activities, and showed willingness to perform their roles in dairy farming, which will eventually benefit them in many ways.
