Author: Mervalyn Tomas

Philippine dairy products can compete internationally, PCC value chain players affirm

Posted on | by Mervalyn Tomas

Carabao-based products can be staunch competitors in the international market. A carabao industry value chain player stands by this remark as he himself believes in it. .

“We can compete with international products as long as quality along the whole value chain is maintained. For us to accomplish this, cooperation across all the members of the industry is important,” Jutes Templo, owner of Gino’s brick oven pizza, said.

Templo has received generous positive feedbacks from foreign customers saying that his pizza, burrata, and mozzarella are the best of their kinds that they have ever tasted.

To improve his products, Templo visited Italy and he found out that, indeed, his pizza is comparable to authentic Italian pizzas.

“We didn’t settle for anything less than what we wanted and we got lucky that it matched the customer’s tastes,” Templo elaborated.

Richard Cavosora, marketing representative of Magdalena Dairy in Laguna, said Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza is a proof that our country’s carabao-based products can compete internationally during the Value Chain Players Consultation Workshop on December 5-7 held at the PCC headquarters in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza is one of the establishments that Cavosora supplies with fresh milk.

“We just need to improve the quality of our products in terms of healthiness and freshness. We also need to innovate and not be contented with existing products,” Cavosora said.

Increasing the quality of carabao-based products is just one of the concerns raised during the event.

Malou Rodriguez of Dairy Mate, an input supplier, said the strict competition in the market also requires their business to innovate continuously.

“We want to help improve the dairy industry in the Philippines by creating feeds that will help improve milk production of carabaos but we need the support from the government to lower production cost, thus, lowering the price of our product,” Rodriguez said.

Carabao dairy farmers expressed their need for more trainings and seminars on how to properly take care of their carabaos for them to be able to produce more milk.

On the other hand, the Artificial Insemination (AI) technicians stated their need for more sexed semen supply and their access on new technologies in AI.

They also requested for a regular yearly vaccination of carabaos and that farmers should be asked to stop butchering pregnant carabaos. The group strongly lobbies for this cause suggesting that a specific policy should be penned and strictly implemented to prohibit such act.

In the post-production side, institutional buyers and processors shared their vision to develop one central processing area, instead of competing with each other, to address the volume requirement of the Metro Manila market, among others.

PCC’s response

“The objective of this value chain players’ forum is for PCC to listen to the concerns of the industry stakeholders and recommend relevant solutions on how these concerns should be addressed in the long term,” Dr. Arnel del Barrio, Acting Executive Director of PCC, said.

He added the value chain players, from input suppliers to institutional buyers, need to work together for the improvement of the industry.

“There are a lot of challenges confronting us head on but we see these as opportunities for us to collaborate,” del Barrio said.

He assured the stakeholders that everything they brought up in the forum will be taken into account, and that the PCC will try its best to address these problems as soon as possible.

“We will continue to link with you so that our exchange of ideas for the betterment of the carabao industry will prosper,” del Barrio told the stakeholders.

Twin benefits foreseen in milk supplementation program for day-care pupils in Aliaga town

Posted on | by Mervalyn O. Tomas

Twin benefits, for day-care pupils and dairy carabao farmers, are foreseen in the milk feeding program launched recently in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija  under the collaboration of three government units.

The program, which had its soft launching last November 28, will provide a flow of processed milk to a total of 1,121 pupils, aged three to five years, for four months.  

An official involved in the program said it will also provide the added benefit of supporting and promoting the livelihood of carabao farmers as the commodity would be sourced out from the milk yields collected by the dairy farmers from their dairy carabaos.

The undertaking is  a joint effort of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the local government unit of Aliaga town.

“This program aims to address the nutritional requirements of day care pupils and improve their nutritional intake as they grow up,” Dr. Daniel Aquino, Center Director of PCC at Central Luzon State University (PCC at CLSU), said during the launching of the program.

The DSWD committed to allot a fund of Php 1,479,720 while PCC will deliver the milk products to the cooperating Day Care Centers.

Ma. Theresa Sawit, PCC Senior Science Research Specialist, disclosed that they have  capacitated the Nueva Ecija Federation of Dairy Carabao Cooperatives (NEFEDCO) to provide the processed milk.. It will deliver the supply needed by the children for 120 days.

Armando Silva, provincial coordinator of the sustainable livelihood project of the DSWD in Region III, on the other hand, said that their department is committed to provide continuing assistance for the dairy farmers for their sustainable livelihood source.

 ‘”Carabaos have very important roles in the lives of our farmers since they serve as the farmer’s capital for their sustainable livelihood,” Silva said.

He expounded that the meat and dairy products, as well as draft powers of the carabaos, are economic opportunities for the farmers tending them.

Futhermore, Sawit further explained that this particular program includes nutrition education for the children. He said where infographics are to be printed out and posted on classroom walls for information dissemination. Teachers will be actively involved in the program as they commit one session per month in their class to discuss the importance of milk in children’s proper nutrition.

Dr. Edgardo Carlos of Aliaga’s Rural Health Unit ensured that the weight and height of the children will be measured in a monthly basis to monitor the improvement in their nutritional status.

The parents of the children, who were visibly elated about the program, expressed their gratitude to PCC, DSWD, and to the Aliaga LGU for extending their help in ensuring the  nutritional welfare of their children.

“We are lucky that our municipality has been chosen to be one of the beneficiaries of this program,” Gia Javaluyas, a mother and the wife of  Erwin Javaluyas who is president of the Aliaga Association of Barangay Captains, said.

Successful dairy carabao farmers, entrepreneurs share good practices in production, business in 2nd National Carabao Conference

Posted on | by Ma. Cecilia C. Irang

Triumphant dairy farmers and entrepreneurs in carabao-based industry imparted their good practices in the 2nd National Carabao Conference held last November 14 and 15 at the national headquarters and gene pool of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija.

With the theme, “Nagsipag… Nagnegosyo… Nagtagumpay!”, the conference served as a venue for meaningful interaction among the participants and a source of significant information and ideas, for sharing and disseminating, which is expected to inspire more to participate in the Carabao Development Program (CDP).

According to Wilma Del Rosario, National Impact Zone (NIZ) coordinator of PCC and the overall chair for the second NCC, strategic breakout sessions with different speakers according to their respective practices were arranged to realize the conference theme.

“Sharing their respective stories to the participants is one way of encouraging and motivating them to strive harder in their chosen venture and at the same time encourage others to follow suit,” she said.

For the “nagsipag” (diligent technology adopters), those who shared their stories are farmers who have been persistent in alleviating their way of living thru the income that they earn from the dairy carabaos. They also narrated their good practices in the value chain and how they adopt technologies in their respective activities.

Isagani Cajucom of Lupao, Nueva Ecija discussed the income he earns from silage production; Catalina Visda of Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija shared her good practices in production such as care and management of buffaloes; Eugenio Felicano Jr. of San Agustin, Isabela shared the benefits he gets from the bull loan program of PCC; Eliseo Mislang of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija talked about how he gets to save household expenditures such as for gas that they use for cooking because of the technology on biogas digester using carabao manure to produce gas; Imelda Zamora of Asingan, Pangasinan, narrated the profits she gets from the sales of vermicast thru vermicomposting; and Sernan Pelayo of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija imparted his practices as a village-based artificial insemination technician (VBAIT) and the sustainable income he derives from it.

“I am really happy and satisfied with the income I get from being a VBAIT. Aside from being of help to others, I am also able to contribute to the carabao upgrading program of PCC for the sustainable growth of our livestock industry,” Pelayo said.

In the “nagnegosyo” (innovative entrepreneurs), businessmen highlighted and promoted their carabao-based enterprises and their products out of carabao’s milk, meat, and hide.

Leoncio Callo of Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija showed to the participants the annual sales and income of Dairy Box Delicatessen and how they continuously improve their products; Arturo Tabbu of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan shared the history of the Lighthouse Cooperative and how they come up with their products from carabao’s meat and hide such as “Chicha-rabao”, carabeef tapa, longganisa and others; Prof. Dana Vera Cruz of Central Luzon State University described the innovative reason behind the production of the internationally-recognized tilapia ice cream; Jesus Mateo of Sta. Maria, Bulacan shared the humble beginning of their family business in food products and meat dealership; Joel Morales of San Agustin, Isabela gave a testimony on how his crossbred carabaos are called upon to power “karyada” every cropping season and the income he gets from this; and Ariel “Aying” Viñas of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija narrated how he started his pastillas business and how he made it to be dubbed as the “king of pastillas-making in Southern Nueva Ecija”.

“When I decided to start my own pastillas business, I wanted to make something distinctly Aying’s. I improved the recipe I learned from my former employer and created my own version of the existing flavors. Each time I see food products when I go out with my family, I always think of how I can incorporate those items with pastillas. I would do some experiments until I eventually develop a new recipe,” Viñas shared.

On the other hand, for the “nagtagumpay” (rising above subsistence), testimonies of dairy farmers on how the dairy carabao program benefitted their families was the highlight. Narration of their stories on how their children were able to graduate from college thru the help of dairy carabaos was presented in a video material.

The two-day event was attended by some 500 dairy farmers, partners, businessmen, local government officials and representatives from various government agencies and private organizations that are actively involved in the implementation of the CDP being carried out by PCC.

Successful dairy carabao farmers, entrepreneurs, to be highlighted in 2nd National Carabao Conference

Posted on | by Ma. Cecilia C. Irang

“Nagsipag… Nagnegosyo… Nagtagumpay!”.

This will be the theme for the second “National Carabao Conference (NCC)” which will be held on November 14 and 15 at the national headquarters and gene pool of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija.

The conference aims to gather participants, trustees, and all those who are benefitting in the dairy carabao-based industry.

It will serve as a venue for meaningful interaction among the participants and will be a source of significant information, ideas, and good practices for sharing and disseminating, which is expected to inspire more to participate in the Carabao Development Program (CDP). 

The two-day event is expected to be attended by some 500 dairy farmers, partners, businessmen, local government officials and representatives from various government agencies and private organizations that are actively involved in the implementation of the CDP, which is considered as PCC’s flagship program.

Senator Cynthia Villar, vice-chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, and Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol are expected to be present in the event as the guests of honor and will be joining the dairy farmers in an open forum.

According to Wilma Del Rosario, National Impact Zone (NIZ) coordinator of PCC and the overall chair for the second NCC, there will be breakout sessions and speakers to realize the concept of the theme.

For the “nagsipag” (diligent technology adopters), those who will share their stories are farmers who have been persistent in alleviating their way of living thru the income that they earn from the dairy carabaos. They will also narrate their good practices in the value chain and how they adopt technologies in their respective activities. 

In the “nagnegosyo” (innovative entrepreneurs), businessmen will highlight and promote their carabao-based enterprises and their products out of carabao’s milk, meat, and hide such as ice cream, pastillas, tapa, chicharong kalabaw and others.

On the other hand, for the “nagtagumpay” (rising above subsistence), this will involve testimonies of dairy farmers on how the dairy carabao program benefitted their families. Narration of their stories on how their children were able to graduate from college thru the help of dairy carabaos will be done thru a video presentation. 

It is shown, as of now, that many children of dairy farmers who were once hopeless to reach college, have now finished their respective bachelor’s degrees thru the help of the income that their parents earn from the dairy carabaos, the organizers of the event said. They now have their own jobs and are beholden to the dairy carabaos for the daily income that has helped them achieve their dreams.

Other activities lined-up for the conference are products exhibition, Knowledge Café (media forum), National Knowledge Sharing Forum on Carabao-based Enterprise Development with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, and a tour of PCC’s major facilities.

 

PCC organizes milk supplementation program orientation meeting

Posted on | by Reshel Joy D. Jara

A 120-day milk supplementation program is soon to benefit parents and daycare pupils in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija. This goal was concretized in a meeting with Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and key stakeholders last November 4 in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.

The PCC National Impact Zone (NIZ) together with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWD) organized the said orientation meeting which was attended by the technical working group composed of PCC NIZ Coordinator Wilma Del Rosario, Municipal Health Unit (MHO) focal person Lorie Umpada, MSWD focal person Vangie Mercado and Nueva Ecija Federation of Dairy Carabao Cooperative (NEFEDCCO) representative Janice Domingo. Aliaga Mayor Gonzalo “Boy” Moreno, PCC at Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Center Director, Dr. Daniel Aquino, PCC Senior Science Research Specialist, Ma. Theresa Sawit, and NEFEDCCO chairman Gerardo delos Santos.

The orientation aimed to inform the parents and the pupils the importance of drinking carabao’s milk and to lessen the problem of the increasing number of malnourished children in the country and to help the dairy farmers in the distribution and marketing of their milk produce. 

Nutritionists approve of the benefits of carabao’s milk. Studies show that carabao’s milk contains riboflavin or vitamin B2 needed for normal growth, an agent against skin swelling, inflammation of the lining of mouth and tongue, and dizziness. Its vitamin A content is good for maintaining good eyesight while vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus are valuable nutrients for strong teeth and bones.

The said milk supplementation program will be funded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) National Office. 

It was also agreed in the meeting that the MSWD will first get consent of parents before the implementation of the program. 

NEFEDCCO is tapped as the milk supplier for the said feeding program. Select NEFEDCCO staff have undergone training on milk processing under PCC for this purpose. 

The launching of the program is scheduled on November 21. 

 

PCC conducts training on milk quality assurance for dairy farmers

Posted on | by Zane Francis S. Alejo

The PCC National Impact Zone (NIZ) conducted a refresher course on milk handling and quality control  titled, “Milk Quality and Safety Assurance from Farm to Milk Processing Plant” last October 18 at the PCC headquarters in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Said training was funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)  – under the project 4 component of the PCAARRD-funded program “Enhancing Milk Production of Water Buffaloes through S&T Interventions”.

Participating in the course were 15 dairy farmers. The dairy farmer-participants are those who own five or more head of dairy carabaos and  producing at least 10 liters of milk per day.

The course was conducted because of the low milk quality and lack of skilled quality control personnel in the village-based milk collection centers (VBMCC) established by PCC. According to the organizers, the course was prepared as an additional assistance to the dairy cooperatives to help them maintain the quality of their milk produce during processing.

Lectures and hands-on exercises were the modalities of learning used in the training.

Mina Abella, the project leader of this component, discussed how to maintain milk quality along the supply chain. On the other hand, Frederick Bacani, PCC project staff, explained the milk quality evaluation and standards including milk sampling, milk quality test, preparation of 60% Ethyl Alcohol and table of specific gravity of milk.

The second part of the course was a hands-on training on milk evaluation led by Daisy Flores, PCC project staff. The participants were asked to perform sampling and platform tests including measurement of temperature, organoleptic, Alcohol Precipitation Test (APT), Clot on Boiling Test (COB), lactometer test, acidity test, and titratable acidity (using pH meter). The participants were also given workshop on proper milk recording such as entering milk test results on a logbook

“We are very thankful to PCC for coming up with this kind of program for dairy farmers. This will really help us produce good quality milk for the benefit of our business and the consumers,” Emily Velasco, one of the participants of the course, said in Filipino.

 

Dairy farmers undergo training on homegrown forage production

Posted on | by Ma. Cecilia C. Irang

Thirty dairy farmers gained additional knowledge on the backyard production of forages to support the nutritional requirement of their buffaloes thru a two-day farmers’ training on “Science-Based Production of Grasses and Legumes for Sustainable (year-round) Supply of Fodder” last October 10-11 at the PCC national headquarters, Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija.

Said training is in line with the project 1 component of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) titled, “Development of Feeding Protocols and Practices to Support the Nutritional Requirements of Dairy Buffaloes”.

The project, which was funded by PCAARRD and implemented by PCC, aimed to address the issue on feed scarcity by providing assistance in the form of technical and practical trainings to dairy buffalo farmers in order to help them plan out and implement a sustainable homegrown grasses and legumes plantation.

“Forage supply for feeding buffaloes is one of the major problems that affect the success of the dairy farmers especially their income,” Dr. Daniel Aquino, project leader and center director of PCC at CLSU, said.

“Majority of farmers at the national impact zone practice different feeding systems depending on the number of their buffaloes. Whereas, those who have more than five dairy buffaloes are becoming aware of the importance of good nutrition, thus, they adopt forage production by establishing a forage garden using improved grasses.” Dr. Aquino added.

According to him, with the introduction of Super Napier varieties Molato and Mombasa including some improved legume species, the dairy farmers are now encouraged to establish a forage garden in their respective areas.

PCC acting executive director Dr. Arnel Del Barrio, on the other hand, shared the efforts and interventions of PCC in addressing the problem of dairy farmers in marketing and distribution of milk. He said marketing also plays a vital role in persuading farmers to practice proper feeding management.

“The key to health improvement among dairy buffaloes is in the hands of caretakers like you,” Dr. Del Barrio told the dairy farmers.

“With good feeding, management, and breeding, you are sure to boost your animals’ milk production. You just focus on the production and we, at PCC, are doing interventions such as the institutionalization of milk feeding program and establishment of products’ outlets. When you have a ready market, you will definitely find feed resources for your buffaloes to maintain their good body condition and milk yield,” he emphasized.

He added that in 2017 PCC will take on a new role to monitor the feeding systems of dairy farmers. Key personnel of PCC dedicated for this purpose, he said, will conduct an actual visit to the farms of dairy farmers and provide suggestions to improve their feeding systems.

“We are targeting 50 farmers to be visited next year to help them with their animal nutrition problem. It will be consultative. We will approach you to hear your concerns then we will agree on solutions,” he said.

The training involved farmers from the different cities and municipalities in Nueva Ecija. The selection of the participants was based on their current number of animals, interest and commitment to participate, readiness to utilize available resources including their forage area for the implementation of the project and promptness to gather record and share relevant data that will be generated from the project.

The two-day training comprised of lectures, workshop on calculation of annual forage requirement and area to be established, and actual demonstration on land preparation and the proper way of planting grasses and legumes.

After the training, the participants were also given planting materials to start establishing their forage areas. The volume of planting materials provided to them was based on the area required to support the year-round forage requirement of the number of animals they raise or maintain.

The second batch of the two-day farmers’ training involving another 30 farmers is set to be conducted in November.

 

PCC-CBED conducts training on milk soap making for dairy farmer-entrepreneurs in Luzon

Posted on | by Ma. Cecilia C. Irang

Dairy buffalo farmers in Luzon can now expand their dairy enterprise by entering a new venture in soap making. This was made possible through a PCC-Carabao-Based Enterprise Development (CBED) sponsored  “Training on Soap Making” last September 30 at the PCC national headquarters, Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija.

Said training aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of dairy farmers in the new business venture which is soap making.

Carlo Tienzo, CBED support staff and one of the lead organizers of the training, said farmer-entrepreneurs should learn how to expand their product line by exploring other value-adding technologies such as the production of milk soap.

“It is actually market-wise because milk soap is already found to be highly saleable as more consumers prefer to buy environment-friendly and natural products. This venture is also sure to give them additional source of income aside from the daily cash that they earn from the sales of raw milk and other milk products,” he said.

Couple Michael “Tj” and Nerlita Gonzales of Baliuag, Bulacan, owners and producers of Kala Milk soap, were tapped as resource persons for the training.

Mrs. Gonzales shared the appropriate formulation for each bar of soap and the ingredients to make one. She demonstrated a stepwise process in soap making from weighing the ingredients to pouring the mixture into molding tools, curing, cutting, and finally, packaging.

The participants also went through practical and hands-on exercises to experience the process in actual. Aside from the practicum, they were also taught on how to examine the finished products for quality, calculate simple cost and returns, and prepare simple re-entry plan. The re-entry plan served as basis for the provision of a starter kit, which included some of the important ingredients in soap making.

“We’ve been into the soap making business for six years and I can say that it is truly a viable milk-based enterprise as long as you are persistent and consistent.  Our secret is the appropriate formulation of ingredients. You should start formulating your own now so that you will have something to give as presents for the coming holiday season. If your friends will like it, that’s an  opportunity for you to consider selling,” Nerlita said.

Mr. Gonzales, on the other hand, said their business is also fostering an advocacy that aims to support the education of dairy farmers’ children in Baliuag, Bulacan. For every sale of Kala Milk Soap, a portion goes to the educational fund.

“Kala Milk Soap is the first-ever bath soap made from carabao’s milk and with the best ingredients. It does not contain harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients, making it safe for the environment. Our family also sources the main ingredient from local farmers,” Mr. Gonzales said.

Scientific studies have already proven that milk contains proteins which help soften and moisturize the skin. It also has lactic acid, which contributes to maintaining the skin’s natural fairness. Milk is also rich in vitamins A, D, and E which further nourishes the skin. In addition, it has a whitening effect which is brought about by the way it regulates the production of melanin (a natural substance in the skin that causes the skin to darken).

Meanwhile, Cynthia Correa of Eastern Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, expressed her thoughts about the significance of the training to their cooperative.

“The training is important for us to maximize the use of our raw milk. Aside from the processed food products from carabao’s milk, we can now also use our milk for soap products. It will also be an additional source of income for the farmers and their wives. We will definitely try this venture and as a matter of fact, after this training, we are going to buy the needed ingredients and equipment for soap making,” Correa said in Filipino.

Two batches of the one-day training are set to be conducted for dairy farmer-entrepreneurs in Visayas and Mindanao in October.

 

PCC researchers learn technical know-how on molecular phylogenetics

Posted on | by Ma. Cecilia C. Irang

Researchers of PCC gained better understanding of the practical applications of molecular analysis thru various methods and techniques discussed in-depth in a recent three-day “Workshop on Molecular Phylogenetics” held last September 12, 19, and 26 at the PCC national headquarters, Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija.

“These methods and techniques can be utilized to further characterize the different varieties of carabaos for whatever purpose it may serve the PCC. For example, we can use this method to identify the relatedness of its different varieties whether species-level or subspecies level for breeding, genetic variation or other purposes,” Dr. Ian Kendrich Fontanilla, who served as the resource person and shared his expertise on molecular phylogeny, said.

Dr. Fontanilla is an associate professor from the Institute of Biology of the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

During the workshop, the PCC researchers were exposed to the practical application of various statistical tools and molecular programs for the analysis and interpretation of phylogenetic relationship of species particularly on livestock. A series of lectures and hands-on computer exercises using various programs and statistical tools to analyze sequences were done to achieve this.

PCC Senior Science Research Specialist Lilian Villamor said the workshop helped PCC researchers to have a better understanding on aligning data sets and phylogenetic analysis using different tools, software, or programs and critically interpreting these data.

“We are now more equipped and knowledgeable in constructing species phylogeny inference and we are able to interpret the evolutionary relationship of target species,” Villamor explained.

According to John L. Gittleman of the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology, phylogeny is the history of the evolution of a species or group, especially in reference to lines of descent and relationships among broad groups of organisms.

It encompasses construction of phylogenetic trees that are widely used to describe relationships among species in the tree of life. The approach to understand and establish species identification takes avail of the molecular phylogenetics as a tool for genome comparisons.

Said workshop was conducted by PCC thru its Research for Development Division (RDD).

RDD chief Dr. Annabelle Sarabia said the workshop will help participants gain knowledge on basic approaches in the identification of relationships among species and taxa and will be useful in their research activities and related undertakings.