EXPERIENCING A BOUNTY FROM AN ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD

Looking over his buffaloes, Allan Benitez, chairman of Simula ng Panibagong Bukas MultiPurpose Cooperative (SIPBU MPC) in San Jose City, is often lost for words in describing how grateful he is for the help that he and his colleagues received from PCC.

Before SIPBU MPC got its name, it was formerly known as “Simula ng Panibagong Bukas Producers Cooperative” or SIPBUPCO. It started with 21 members who were grouped in order to benefit from the PCC’s 25-Cow Dairy Buffalo Module. Though they still lacked the required membership, PCC, nevertheless, decided to provide them dairy buffaloes on a loan basis.

“As rice farmers, we tried to engage in dairying to earn additional income. We were surprised when we realized that the income from it is daily and can surpass our earnings from our primary source of livelihood,” Allan said.

The guidance given by the agency led to the debunking of the notion of some members of the group that rearing dairy buffaloes would only involve just letting them loose in the pasture area or just keeping them under the trees and feed them. PCC made them realize that it is critical to make sure that the animals are well taken care of with proper animal management, provision of appropriate shelter and feedstuff such as Napier.

Gradually, the members satisfied the requirements and were able to propagate their dairy buffaloes. Based on its record last September 2018, SIPBU MPC has 296 dairy buffaloes.

Allan, for example, now owns more than 10 dairy buffaloes and earns at least Php1,200 a day depending on the number of lactating buffaloes in the cycle.

In terms of milk production, Arnold Cunanan, who is a member of the board of directors of the coop, collects as high as 55 liters of milk a day from his dairy buffaloes.

According to Allan, while some of them still engage in rice farming, majority decided to fully concentrate in dairying. He stated that unlike before, they don’t need to borrow money anymore just to get by. Now, all they have to do is wake up early and diligently milk their buffaloes and shortly enough they pocket the day’s income.

“What PCC has done for us is to lead us to this comfortable life that we are enjoying now. It never gets tired of nurturing us in the process. In return, we vow to be continuously dedicated to keep suceeding in this venture,” Allan proudly shared.

SIPBU MPC is now one of the leading cooperatives in Nueva Ecija when it comes to dairying. In 2018, it registered a total milk harvest of 71,434 kilograms, which was worth more than Php3 million.

The cooperative was also selected last year as a credit conduit of the PLEA of the DA’s ACPC.

Under PLEA, in the aspect of buffalo-based livelihood, the loan is to be used for the purchase of milk processing equipment and in putting up better housing for the animals.

Through the help of PCC, 44 members received a loan amounting up to Php50,000 each. Its interest, which is 6% annually, is retained by the cooperative to serve as its additional fund. Thus, under this arrangement, the cooperative itself benefits from the special credit facility.

“I believe that when you plan to engage in dairying as a livelihood, you must be prepared for any eventuality. Don’t be discouraged when you face many struggles because those will teach you how to get stronger as you face and succeed from one struggle to the next,” Allan said as advice to all aspiring dairy farmers.