Author: Mary Antonette Andarza

Nineteen young farmers were among the 55 graduates of the modular Farmers Livestock School on Dairy Buffalo Production (FLS-DBP) during a ceremony held at the Hamtic Multipurpose Cooperative Covered Gym, Poblacion II, Hamtic, Antique on June 21, 2024.

The traditional FLS-DBP sessions typically span 15 days. However, the modular approach, led by FLS-DBP trainer and Project Development Assistant II Angeline Javier, conducted sessions on-site in each cluster for two hours per session. This format allowed young farmers to attend despite their weekday classes. The sessions ran from April 24, 2024, to June 21, 2024.

Elmer G. Misajon, the 2024 Class Valedictorian in the Farmers Category, reflected on his training experience and emphasized the challenges and learnings in dairy buffalo production.

“Our learnings are not limited to the subjects we had; the training was a way for us to gauge our determination and commitment in taking care of our carabaos. During the training, I thought raising a carabao was ‘basic,’ just feeding it and making sure it’s full, but it’s actually more than that. Here, I realized that dairying can be a family enterprise,” he said in Filipino.

Felmar M. Sarad, the 2024 Class Valedictorian in the Youth Category, encouraged his peers to view the dairy industry as a sustainable source of family income.

“We, the new generation, need to support our parents in farming and not turn our backs on agriculture. Not to brag, but I’m hands-on in our dairy farm. Our training is a significant boost to our livelihood and will help make Sarad Dairy Farm well-known worldwide,” Sarad shared.

The graduation was officiated by Janice H. Cuaresma, CBED coordinator of DA-PCC at WVSU, with Marciano T. Virola, Jr., senior cooperative advisor of AgriTerra, serving as the guest speaker.

The event was one of the highlights of the 57th foundation anniversary of Hamtic Multi-Purpose Cooperative, one of the conduit cooperatives under the Carabao-based Business Improvement Network.

Attendees included Hon. Liberty Bertolano, SB-Member of Hamtic, Committee on Agriculture, Feliza E. Labrador, MPA, General Manager of Antique Federation of Cooperative, Mercy Gabasa, Acting Supervising CDS, Cooperative Development Authority, Lanelyn T. Beliceña, Provincial Cooperative Specialist, and Jasmine Tejada, VICTO Representative.

To enhance artificial insemination (AI) efficiency and improve the reproductive efficiency in water buffaloes in the Caraga Region, the DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Central Mindanao University (DA-PCC at CMU) collaborated with DA-Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center XIII (DA-ATI-RTC XIII).

Held from June 3 to 21 at the Regional Training Center in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon, the training program was attended by 13 select Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from the Caraga Region. Most participants had prior training in pregnancy diagnosis and artificial insemination for cattle and water buffaloes.

The DA-PCC at CMU’s team of experts, led by Center Director Dr. Lowell Paraguas, included Armando Racho, Ramon Soliven Jr., and resource speakers from the College of Veterinary Medicine at CMU, Dr. Jose Escarlos Jr. and Dr. Ampie Magdalene Sua. Experts from DA-PCC National Headquarters such as Dr. Edwin Atabay, national artificial insemination coordinator, and Joselito Del Rosario also served as training resource speakers.

According to Dr. Paraguas, this training combined theoretical lectures with practical assessments, addressing the challenges in implementing the Genetic Improvement Program (GIP) in the region.

“One of the challenges in the Genetic Improvement Program by the center is to increase the number of active AI technicians from various local government units (LGUs) and village-based artificial insemination technicians (VBAITs) across Mindanao to consistently provide more AI services and increase calf drop rates for water buffaloes and cattle,” Dr. Paraguas explained.

Dr. Atabay emphasized the importance of a Triple “E” strategy: enhancing pregnancy rates, implementing an effective rebreeding program, and early detection of pregnancy.

“The primary objective of the program is to improve the pregnancy rates of the country’s water buffaloes, aligning with the agency’s responsibility to propagate and protect the animals,” Dr. Atabay stated.

During the culmination program, ATI Information Officer II Ginalyn Arbutante highlighted the critical role of trained individuals in intensifying the genetic improvement program for carabao and cattle in their respective provinces.

“We look forward to the graduates giving back to their communities by sharing the expertise and new skills they acquired during the 20 days of training,” Arbutante added.

Additionally, Dr. Elena Paraguas, the CMU Training Coordinator for DA-PCC, thanked ATI for the financial support. According to her, this program will greatly improve calf drop efficiency, which will raise milk production to meet the nation’s demand and specifically support the Department of Education’s (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Milk Feeding Program.

The Schools Division Office of Antique once again partners with DA-PCC-assisted cooperatives for the implementation of the milk feeding program under the School-Based Feeding Program of the Department of Education.
The implementation will cover 43 feeding days starting today, June 24, 2024, and will continue until the last week of July, implementing a double-feeding scheme.

Pandan Multi-Purpose Cooperative will cater to the area of North Antique with 2,419 beneficiaries from the municipalities of Libertad, Sebaste, Pandan, Lauan, Barbaza, Tibiao, and Culasi, with a commitment of 20,804 bottles of pasteurized milk.

Hamtic Multi-Purpose Cooperative will serve 2,866 beneficiaries of the South Antique area including the municipalities of Hamtic, Tobias Fornier, Anini-y, San Remigio, and San Jose de Buenavista, and is expected to deliver 24,648 bottles of pasteurized milk.

Janice H. Cuaresma, CBED Coordinator of DA-PCC at WVSU, expressed her pride in the growing market of cooperatives supported by DA-PCC.
“As partners of these cooperatives, it brings joy to my heart to see them continually benefiting from our agency’s project in the Province of Antique. This project is steadily achieving its goal of creating livelihoods for our local dairy producers while fostering a strong partnership with the Department of Education,” she said.

This marks the second time that DA-PCC-assisted cooperatives in Antique have supplied milk for the DepEd’s School-Based Feeding Program, following their initial engagement in May 2022.

To enhance the dairy production of the local farmers in Namabbalan Norte, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, the DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Cagayan State University (DA-PCC at CSU) conducted a two-day live-out Social Preparation Training (SPT) at DA-PCC at CSU’s Conference Hall, Namabbalan Norte, Tuguegarao City on June 10-11, 2023.

This comprehensive training assessed the capacity of the cooperatives on policy-making, imparting knowledge on project management and implementation through technical know-how and sharing moral values.

The training is part of the Carabao-Based Enterprise Development (CBED) program, a flagship initiative of the DA-PCC that aims to provide comprehensive support to farmers, from training to market access, to ensure the sustainability and profitability of carabao-based enterprises and instill hope and optimism in the dairy industry’s stakeholders.

Dr. Rovina Piñera, center director of DA-PCC at CSU, shared that the training will not only enhance the skills of the farmers in the barangay but also empower them to take charge of their dairy production. This, in turn, will lead to a substantial boost in the province’s overall dairy or milk production of carabaos.

“We need to train more individuals or farmers to provide, sustain, and produce more milk for the public. This empowerment of the farmers is a testament to their resilience and dedication to their craft, and it’s a source of pride for the community,” Dr. Piñera said.

Moreover, the DA-PCC still aims to accelerate the increase of local dairy stocks and milk production, especially in Namabbalan. The Integrated Farmers’ Cooperative (IFC), a cooperative formed in 1996, has been engaged in dairy production with the DA-PCC at CSU. It has been operating its economic activity focusing on the products from carabao’s milk and cattle’s milk, particularly in the area. At present, a total of 70 active IFC farmer-members in Namabbalan are participating in producing good-quality dairy stocks.

The two-day live-out training provided a platform for the farmers to enhance their skills in conserving, propagating, and promoting the carabao as a multipurpose commodity, but it also opened up new livelihood opportunities for the local dairy farmers and the local industry. The training’s potential to boost the local economy and significantly improve the quality of life for the farmers and the community is a beacon of hope, making it a crucial step towards the sustainable development of the dairy industry in Namabbalan.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Sustainable Livelihood Program and the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center implemented the Gatasang Kalabaw Kontra Kagutuman at Kahirapan (GK3K) project after its successful launch in Balungao, Pangasinan.
This initiative aims to collaborate with local government units to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the 4Ps beneficiaries and to promote the sustainable growth of the livestock industry in Pangasinan.

The LGU-Natividad, through Mayor Rosita Rafaels’ leadership, sees the project as promising economic empowerment for marginalized communities and is committed to supporting the implementation of GK3K in the municipality.

The commitment to this initiative further strengthens the placement of the carabao industry in the region, helping to increase appreciation of what the industry can offer and make communities realize the need to patronize local produce.

Tatiana Sabalboro, Project Development Officer II of DSWD in Pangasinan, shared their agency chose to champion carabaos for their sustainable project as they have seen the industry’s increased demand for carabao’s milk. Furthermore, carabao milk is more nutritious than other ruminants’ milk.

DA-PCC at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University has recently conducted its training on dairy buffalo production and management for the beneficiaries in Natividad, where they were equipped with knowledge and skills in carabao raising.

Sabalboro also mentioned that their team created two associations: the Isem Sikap Canarem SLPA and Batchelor West Natividad Dairy SLPA, with 25 and 35 members, respectively. The beneficiaries will be granted nine carabaos through their awarded fund amounting to PHP825,000.
Center Director Vilma Gagni committed to entrusting 10 dairy buffaloes in support of the project, aside from the technical aspects the center will provide.

For the project’s success, convergence, collaboration, and complementation are essential among the stakeholders involved.

“The integration of partnership, collaboration, convergence, and complementation of funds in a project enhances resource availability, fosters innovation, mitigates risks, accelerates progress, improves quality, and broadens impact. This synergistic effort leads to more successful and sustainable project outcomes, demonstrating the value of coordinated and diversified efforts,” Gagni said.

Aside from the commitment of two local government units from Pangasinan’s 6th district, partner agencies expect Sta. Maria, Umingan, and other municipalities to follow suit, creating a ripple effect of growth in the production of carabaos and the development of sustainable income streams.

The DA-Philippine Carabo Center through the Research and Development Division (RDD) proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the SOCCSKSARGEN Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SOXAARRDEC) to establish a partnership focused on the development of the cara-industry in the region held last June 6 at USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.

The proposed MOU, initiated by Dr. Eric P. Palacpac, OIC Chief of DA-PCC RDD, seeks to establish a collaborative framework between the DA-PCC at USM and the SOXAARRDEC to strengthen research and development efforts in agriculture, aquatic and natural resources, with a specific focus on carabao-based innovations and sustainable livestock production practices. Dr. Palacpac also charted the various disciplinary areas of RDD to see where DA-PCC and SOXAARRDEC could collaborate.

During the MOU presentation, Dr. Josephine R. Migalbin, consortium director, along with representatives from the University of Southern Mindanao Research, Development, and Extension, highlighted the challenges of technology transfer. They focused on understanding the generated technology, identifying which technologies to feature, and determining the best modalities for carabao.

Dr. Geoffray R. Atok, director of DA-PCC at USM, emphasized the need for strong policy advocacy to accelerate technology implementation. He noted that dairy buffalo raisers have an advantage over regular farmers because carabao milk commands a premium price.

As DA-PCC at USM is a member of the consortium, this agreement will enhance technical cooperation and knowledge exchange among consortium institutions.

The Sarangani provincial government expressed confidence in attaining a milk-sufficient province as it will seize opportunities in the livestock industry with the synergetic partnership among the private sector and government agencies in mainstreaming livestock services through the creation of the Sarangani Dairy Industry Council.

After a series of discussions, planning, and assessments since 2023, the province has committed to enhancing collaborative efforts through the institutionalization of the council on June 7, 2024. This council bridges the partnership between dairy farmer groups and various government agencies, including the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP), Department of Agriculture XII (DA-XII), DA-National Dairy Authority (DA-NDA) – Southern Mindanao, DA-Agricultural Training Institute XII (DA-ATI-XII), DA-Philippine Carabao Center at USM (DA-PCC at USM), Department of Science and Technology XII (DOST XII), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI XII).

Aside from launching the council, the provincial government also crafted a memorandum of agreement for inter-agency convergence to institutionalize support for the implementation of the provincial commodity investment plan, formulated a three-year plan, and recommended policies about the livestock industry to underscore constraints such as accelerating herd buildup for milk production, increasing productivity and profitability of dairy-based enterprises to ensure increased income of farmers, and ensuring availability of safe and quality milk products from genetically improved cow, goat, and carabao.

During the council’s launch, DA-PCC at USM outlined programs, plans, and activities aimed at boosting the livestock industry in Sarangani. The focus was on technology transfer, research and development, and community engagement, all contributing to the long-term growth of carapreneurship in the province.

Moreover, Melecio Obungen, Chairperson of Pangi Multi-Purpose Cooperative (a DA-PCC at USM conduit cooperative), shared insights into buffalo dairying and its pivotal role in the community’s school-based feeding program. By integrating dairy farming into this initiative,
PAMULCO not only enhances local agricultural practices but also contributes to the nutrition and well-being of schoolchildren.

The initiative has received positive feedback from dairy farmers, who see it as a step towards prioritizing their dairy endeavors in the province.

“With the establishment of this council, we can strengthen the support of NGAs focusing on livestock commodities. As dairy goat raisers, we are expecting that this council will be responsive in implementing development plans and policies that have a far-reaching impact in our locality,” said General Manager Rodolfo Dela Torre Jr of Sta. Cruz Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Maasim, Sarangani and recently elected chairperson of Sarangani Dairy Industry Council.

“Through concerted efforts and cooperation between various stakeholders, we are going to unlock the full potential of our dairy and meat industries. By capitalizing on the strengths of both the private and public sectors, we hope to not only meet its province’s milk demand but also to alleviate poverty and malnutrition in the province,” said DA-PCC at USM Center Director Geoffray R. Atok.

The province of Ilocos is set to experience a significant increase in genetically improved calves and fresh buffalo milk production, following the turnover of 100 crossbred female buffaloes to the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives (NSCC) under a Buffalo Agistment Service Agreement. The initial turnover was held, today, June 5, at the NSCC Farmville in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur.

The entrustment is a key component of the Dairy Herd Buildup Project (DHBP), funded by the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, chaired by Hon. Cynthia A. Villar. The project aims to boost local dairy stocks and milk production by establishing dairy buffalo agistment farms and evaluating their sustainability as a strategy for dairy herd buildup across the Philippines.

Under the Buffalo Agistment Service Agreement, NSCC will rear 100 female buffaloes for one year. Once the buffaloes’ pregnancies are confirmed, they will be entrusted to eligible cooperatives or associations to enhance milk and meat production capacities. This initiative aims to boost calf and milk yields, fostering a robust and sustainable dairy industry. Ultimately, this project is expected to significantly contribute to the province’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in milk production.

NSCC has been a leading implementer of DA-PCC programs, consistently expanding its buffalo herd since 2019 and playing a vital role in supplying milk to various Department of Education’s (DepEd) Schools Division Offices through school-based feeding programs.

Ilocos Sur Governor Jeremias Singson highlighted the provincial government’s unwavering commitment to improving the agricultural sector, emphasizing steadfast support for farmer-benefiting programs. He lauded the turnover as a concrete manifestation of this support and expressed eagerness to utilize similar programs offered by DA-PCC for the province. Singson thanked DA-PCC for spearheading the project and challenged the community to uphold organic farming principles, promote environmental sustainability, and enhance community well-being.

NSCC Chief Executive Officer of NSCC Dr. Divina C. Quemi expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in NSCC and expressed hopes that the buffaloes would significantly boost milk production to meet the DepEd’s feeding program requirements. She also emphasized the project’s potential to enhance the economic well-being of local dairy farmers, advocating for continued collaboration between DA-PCC, NSCC, and the provincial government.

DA Undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor Savellano also delivered a video message extending his support to the DHBP and highlighting the collective efforts of the department to enhance agricultural productivity, promote sustainable livelihoods and foster economic growth of the community. He said that the project not only brings transformative changes but new opportunities for income and development. He encouraged the NSCC to continue its collaboration with various agencies and stakeholders as it strives to strengthen its role in enhancing the nutrition of schoolchildren and vulnerable families.

Also pesent during the ceremony were DA-PCC Deputy Executive Director Dr. Caro B. Salces and DA-PCC at Mariano Marcos State University OIC Center Director Joel F. Cabading.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Cagayan State University (DA-PCC at CSU) recognized 12 participants in the basic training course on artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis in large ruminants during the graduation ceremony held yesterday at the DA-PCC at CSU National Swamp Buffalo Gene Pool and Dairy Buffalo Farm in Baung, Piat, Cagayan.

The training aligns with the DA-PCC’s noble mission on the Carabao Upgrading Program through Artificial Insemination (AI) and Bull Entrustment, a banner project for the genetic improvement (GIP) of buffaloes. It is also a training course for Village Based AI Technicians (VBAIT) and Local Government Unit (LGU) Technicians aimed at developing and equipping partners to implement AI activities in the communities.

Dr. Rovina Piñera, DA-PCC at CSU OIC-Center Director, expressed her optimism about the training program’s impact. She believes that training additional technicians will not only increase buffalo production but also continuously reskill new technicians, fostering a cycle of growth and improvement in the region.

In an interview with Giovanni Dulnuan, the training program’s valedictorian, he said that his knowledge and skills enabled him to provide adequate services to farmers’ livestock.

Benedicto D. Blanza, one of the training’s resource speakers, asked the participants to transfer the technology they learned to their respective communities. The participants responded positively by providing more concepts and ideas on what they learned from the training.