Forty-eight identified farmers from the Lopez Raisers Dairy Cooperative were equipped and capacitated with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively implement the Coconut-Carabao Development Project (CCDP) in Lopez, Quezon. The farmers underwent trainings on social preparation, dairy buffalo production, and milk processing at the Brgy. Hall Rosario, Lopez, Quezon, on July 8-9.
CCDP is a partnership project of DA-PCC and DA-Philippine Coconut Authority with its primary goal to provide additional income and generate livelihood opportunities to coconut farmers through carabao-based enterprises. This initiative is funded by the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform chaired by Senator Cynthia Villar.
Rebecca P. Tiama, municipal agriculturist of Lopez, Quezon, encouraged participants to maximize this learning opportunity. Additionally, Belen S. Ruiz, acting division chief I of PCA Quezon II, detailed the components of the CCDP project, highlighting the distribution of 60 carabaos and the establishment of a dairy processing facility to enhance livelihood opportunities for the beneficiaries.
Dr. Thelma A. Saludes, DA-PCC at UPLB center director, reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting the beneficiaries by providing technical assistance and extension services.
The DA-PCC at UPLB training team included Director Saludes, Senior Science Research Specialist Engr. Jose C. Canaria, Science Research Analyst Reynald D. Amido, Regional Knowledge Manager Jeremie Marinella S. Ledesma, and Administrative Aide Richard A. Nepomuceno.
