Author: Kimberly B. Turaja

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region I recently extended a shared service facility (SSF) for carabao dairy processing worth some P800,000 to the Bantog Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BSNMPC) in Asingan, Pangasinan.

 

The BSNMPC, which is an assisted-group of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), received two soft ice cream makers, three chest-type freezers, two upright freezer/refrigerators and three milking machines.

 

The SSF Project is one of the flagship undertakings of DTI launched in 2012 in support of qualified and interested micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It is aimed at hastening and increasing production capacities of the beneficiaries to improve product quality and enhance competitive footing in the global market.

 

Regional Director Florante O. Leal of DTI-Region I, Center Director Gloria M. dela Cruz of PCC at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (PCC-DMMMSU) in La Union and Asingan Mayor Heidee G. Chua led the turnover ceremony dubbed “Launching of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) on Carabao Dairy Processing” held in Asingan, Pangasinan.

 

More than 70 farmers from different cooperatives attended the program along with other officials of DTI-Region I, officials from the local government units (LGUs) of the towns of Asingan, Sta. Maria, Umingan and San Nicolas, Pangasinan, and PCC staff members.

 

Coop chair Modesto Gabriel accepted the donations in behalf of the BSNMPC.

 

Pangasinan Governor Amadeo T. Espino, Jr., who was invited as a guest speaker for the program, was represented by Ranjit R. Shahani, provincial board member of the 6th district of the province.

 

Shahani spoke about how the processing equipment lot was acquired and the entities who made the project possible. He exhorted the coop members to ensure proper maintenance of the processing plant and its facilities in order to make it continuously operational and viable.

 

On the other hand, Dr. Annabelle S. Sarabia, PCC chief for operations, encouraged the local dairy farmers to continue their dairying venture and increase the production performance of their dairy animals in order to meet the required volume of milk needed by the processing plant to be fully operational.

 

The ceremony culminated with a guided tour of the BSNMPC processing plant and sampling of various carabao milk-based products. A sharing of coop experiences was also done.

 

Scientists and other technical staff of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) participated in a one-day seminar organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) as part of its Science Seminar Series in Region III (Central Luzon).

 

Held on September 3, the activity was co-sponsored by PCC along with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

 

The seminar topics discussed were “Capability-Building and Sustainable Biotechnology Information, Education and Communication for DOST and LGU Key Personnel,” “Orientation on Scientific Career System,” and “Ethical Standards for Researchers and Scientists for RDIs (research and development institutes) and SUCs (state colleges and universities).”

 

The speakers included Academician Evelyn Mae Tecson-Mendoza, professor emeritus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and executive secretary of NAST’s Scientific Career Council; Dr. Leslie Michelle Dalmacio, professor at UP-Manila; Dr. Apolinario Yambot, professor at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU); and Dr. Lerma C. Ocampo, senior science research specialist at PCC.

 

Wilfredo Sibal, technical services division chief of DOST-Region III, served as moderator of the open forum.

 

In her talk on the scientific career system, Mendoza, who is also NAST PHL secretary, focused on salient points of the merit system, and the qualifications and requirements in becoming a scientist as well as the benefits and incentives for scientists prescribed by the NAST.

 

“This orientation primarily aims to introduce the guidelines on the entrance to and/or conferment of rank in the Scientific Career System for anyone who aspires to become a scientist,” said Mendoza.

 

On the other hand, application, products, issues and concerns, including animal biotechnology were highlighted in the topic “Capability Building and Sustainable Biotechnology.”

 

Dexter Bautista of NAST said that the items discussed under this topic were relevant in raising awareness among the participants about modern biotechnology so that in return, when there are new technologies that come out which, among others, result in GMO products such as the BT corn, Golden Rice and others, the public can, in turn, be properly informed.

 

He added that this would hopefully address the public’s concern regarding the safety of GMO products commercially released for human consumption.

 

With regard to “Ethical Standards for Researchers and Scientists for RDI’s and SUCs”, Dr. Mendoza presented ethical principles and guidelines for Filipino scientists and researchers who conduct scientific researches or are involved in scientific work.

 

These principles and guidelines include the ethical use of science in Philippine society; conflict of interest; intellectual honesty; weighing the benefits of science vis-à-vis potential harm; commitment to professional development as scientists; development of students and other stakeholders; and the advocacy for scientific approaches.

 

Aside from the PCC staff, the one-day affair held at the PCC National Headquarters was also attended by scientists, science teachers and trainers and some local government unit (LGU) personnel from different parts of Region III.

 

Innovations in biotechnologies that hold great promise in addressing emerging concerns in health, medicine and agriculture were underscored in the 10th Asian Reproductive Biotechnology Society (ARBS) Meeting held August 19 to 25 in Mui Ne, Phat Thiet, Vietnam.

 

Established in 2004, the ARBS is a non-profit organization that seeks to promote the educational and scientific interests of the reproductive biotechnology research community throughout Asia.

 

With over 200 scientists and students from 13 countries in attendance, recent advances in different areas of biotechnology, and insights on the status and technological developments in human and animals were discussed during the conference.

 

The participants were from China, Japan, Czech Republic, North Korea, South Korea, United States, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, India and the United Arab Emirates.

 

The scientific papers presented focused on advances in assisted-reproductive technology (ART) in human medicine, gene and cell therapy, reproductive health, transgenic animal, cloning research, embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells, germ cells growth, and embryo development.

 

Other papers highlighted related topics on reproductive biomedicine, clinical research advances and genome preservation.

 

The event also served as an occasion for discussions among scientists, students and practitioners across the Asian Region on collaborative research and business opportunities.

 

Six delegates from the Philippine Carabao Center conducted paper and poster presentations. Dr. Danilda H. Duran, Dr. Edwin C. Atabay, Dr. Eufrocina P. Atabay, Dr. Lerma C. Ocampo, Dr. Flocerfida P. Aquino, and Excel Rio S. Maylem of the Reproductive Biotech Unit comprised the PCC delegation.

 

Maylem won eighth place in a field of 63 competitors in the poster presentation category.  Her poster was on “Ensuring the Quality of Bovine Embryos produced In-Vitro through the Inner Cell Mass and Trophectoderm Ratio.”

 

Maylem’s study determined the allocation of inner cell mass and trophectoderm of bovine embryos in-vitro in relation to its developmental stage and age. It is now used as a benchmark for determining good quality embryos for embryo transfer.

 

Overall, the conference provided the participants knowledge and insights on alternative technologies in increasing the productivity and profitability of the livestock industry and improving different areas of reproductive biotechnologies, both in human and animals.

 

The event coincided with the commemoration of the 10th year of ARBS. It was co-organized by the ARBS, Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, the city’s Center for Biotechnology and Tan Tao University.

To deepen their knowledge and broaden their understanding and awareness of the dynamics of rural development, two staff members of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) participated in the training program for young leaders under the Rural Development Course of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

 

The training was held in Iwate and Akita Prefectures, both in Japan’s main island of Honshu, on July 22 to August 6. Fifteen other staff from different government agencies in the country also took part in the training program.

 

The two PCC staff trainees were Ericson N. de la Cruz, project evaluation officer, and Kimberly B. Turaja, agricultural technician.

 

The training program seeks to promote human resource development in developing countries, such as the Philippines. Specifically, it is designed to be part of efforts to prepare young leaders individuals to assume leadership roles in the future.

 

During the 18-day training, the participants were provided with opportunities to further hone their specialized knowledge and skills through experiential learning technologies, skills development, and resolving issues on their own.

 

The participants were likewise exposed to various initiatives and challenges in rural development in some parts of Japan and were given opportunities to discuss relevant issues with Japanese rural development experts. Further, the program enabled the participants to understand the policies and support system for rural development, investment and the current situation of agriculture in Japan.

 

In the course of their training, the participants had a chance to observe the goings-on in certain Japan local agricultural government agencies, agricultural institutions, cooperatives, farmer’s activities, and in sites where there are agricultural facilities.

 

A two-day home stay with Japanese host families and the formulation of action plans whereby the participants proposed strategies on how systems and techniques of rural development in Japan can be applied in the country were also included in the training program.

President Aquino has underscored the importance of public health and safety in relation to efforts at achieving food security for the country.

Speaking at the opening of the Livestock Philippines 2013 Expo and Conference on August 7 at the SMX convention center in Pasay City, the Chief Executive stressed that “food security is not just about ensuring stability of supply; it is just as much about public health and safety.”

“Perhaps the burden is even greater today. After all, while modernization allows stakeholders to become even more efficient this also entails higher standards in maintaining the health of animals, the safety of end products and consumers, and the welfare also of the environment. This is precisely what we are doing in the Philippines—improving each step in the process, from beginning to end,” he stressed.

At the same time, President Aquino expressed the hope that the expo would lead to “partnerships that will spur the growth of the Philippine livestock and poultry industry.”

Hosted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Livestock Philippines 2013 focused on the theme: “Food Security through Feeds Safety: Its Impact on Livestock Production Efficiency.”

Some 200 exhibitors from different countries participated in the three-day event which showcased technologies that are considered key to more efficient animal production. It also featured a number of conferences on different concerns of the livestock sector, such as animal nutrition, health, production and meat.

The DA livestock group, which comprises the BAI, Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), National Dairy Authority (NDA), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and Livestock Development Council (LDC), also took part in the event.

Front liners of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) are the contact points of the agency’s main clients, who are the farmers. As such, they are the ones who should change first, as they are the agents and sources of knowledge.

This caveat was underscored during a seminar on providing extension services held at the PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool in the Science City of Muñoz on July 22-26.

The five-day seminar was attended by 31 participants from the different units and stations of PCC. It sought to upgrade and enhance the professional competence of the participants in extension work specifically aimed at wide diffusion and adoption of carabao-based dairy science and practices by the intended end-users.

The learning activity focused on the theme: “Teaching Someone to Fish rather than Giving Fish.”

Adopted from an old Chinese proverb, the theme highlighted the importance of teaching farmers how to be self-dependent and be able to feed themselves and their families for a lifetime instead of just relying on dole-outs and the like from other entities.

Dr. Roger V. Cuyno, a technical adviser of Enablerlin Inc., served as the main resource speaker. Other discussants were Richard V. Bieles, marketing supervisor of East-West Seed Company; Dr. Daniel L. Aquino, PCC national nutrition coordinator; and Lea dR. Abaoag, supervising science specialist and TMSD head, PhilRice; Anita Antonio, senior science research specialist, PhilRice; Engr. Erick Abon, science research specialist I, PhilRice; Ruben Miranda, information technology officer III, PhilRice; and Roger Barroga, program leader, PhilRice.

Conrado Penuliar, a PCC human resource development staff, acted as facilitator.

As an application of the course content, the participants conducted on the fourth day a “Farmers’ Field Day” wherein they served as facilitators, coordinators and resource speakers. The main activities in the field day were technology demonstrations on “Total Mixed Ration (TMR)” and “Artificial Calf Rearing”.

“In field demonstrations, you must have a complete set-up of technology to be featured (if it’s an equipment), give some hand-outs, be alert, be ready, and know all the technical and other details so you can ably respond to any question,” Abon said.

On the other hand, Antonio stressed:  “To learn it, do it and discover it.”

“We need to retrain ourselves to improve our competency level because we cannot say that you yourself do not understand it,” Cuyno emphasized.

Dairy farmers from various cooperatives in Nueva Ecija gained extra knowledge and skills on proper buffalo production and management during a Farmers’ Field Day conducted by the PCC on July 25.

The activity was meant to promote interaction among the agency’s front liners, researchers and PCC-assisted dairy farmers to discuss issues about dairying and to have a clear understanding on how to improve the farmers’ productivity, Conrado P. Penuliar, a staff member of the PCC human resource management section, said.

The field day was held at the PCC Gene Pool in the Science of Muñoz with 47 farmers and 31 staff of PCC as participants. The event them was “Kaalaman sa Dairying, ating Pagyamanin (Enriching Knowledge in Dairying)”.

The farmers came from the Bagong Pag-asa Kooperatiba ng Bantug, Talavera, Makabagong Pag-asa ng MPC, Sipbupco MPC, Pulong Buli PMPC, Green Leaves Credit Cooperative, Eastern PMPC, PAO Producers Coop, Bagong Pag-asa ng Magsasaka sa Cabiao, Kapitbahayan ng Mabini, and the Mamandil Coop.

Dr. Daniel Aquino, PCC national nutrition coordinator, and Dr. Roger Cuyno, a former professor of University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), served as resource speaker and support speaker, respectively.

Aquino’s presentation cum demonstration focused on two vital aspects in dairy buffalo production: Artificial Calf Rearing (ACR) and Total Mixed Ration (TMR).

ACR involves the formulation and feeding of a milk replacer to a calf from one week of age to weaning 90 days. The calf is trained first to suck or lick the middle finger to simulate its mother’s teats until it is ready for bottle-feeding and eventually pail feeding.

TMR, on the other hand, is the blending of all the buffaloes’ feed ingredients, which are properly apportioned into a complete ration that can provide adequate nourishment to the dairy buffaloes. It consists of forages, concentrates, mineral mix, vitamins and feed additives, which can significantly improve the production performance of buffaloes.

“As long as you give the complete nutrients needed by the dairy buffaloes, they can give you more than your expected milk yield every day,” Aquino stated.

After the demonstration, an open forum followed with Mario Delizo, project development officer assigned to PCC’s National Impact Zone, as facilitator. It provided the farmer-participants an opportunity to raise their concerns and to clarify matters relative to the technologies discussed and demonstrated.

The newly inaugurated bull farm and semen processing laboratory of the Philippine Carabao Center at University of the Philippines, Los Banos (PCC at UPLB) are expected to hasten dairy herd build-up in the country.

The new facilities, which feature state-of-the-art equipment, have been put up by PCC in support of its Carabao Upgrading Program (CUP) and at the same time to serve as a venue for research and technology development whose outputs are intended to benefit smallholder dairy farmers and their families.

Hosted by the Animal Dairy Sciences Cluster of the UPLB College of Agriculture, the bull barn and semen processing laboratory of PCC at UPLB were inaugurated on July 16. UPLB Chancellor Rex Victor O. Cruz and PCC Executive Director Libertado C. Cruz led the inauguration rites. Also present were Regional Executive Directors Vilma M. Dimaculangan, Cipriano G. Santiago and Abelardo R. Bragas of DA-RFU IV-A, DA-RFU IV-B and DA-RFU V, respectively, as well as PCC regional center directors, local government officials, municipal agriculturists and farmer-members of dairy cooperatives in the CALABARZON region.

“The bull barn and semen processing laboratory will further ensure a sustainable source of quality semen for developing new dairy breed of carabaos,” Arnel Del Barrio, PCC at UPLB center director, said.

“We used to have a small laboratory room for semen processing where we can only process semen from eight superior donor bulls. Through the Department of Agriculture, we were given the chance to upgrade our laboratory. The new facility can now accommodate up to 30 bulls. A superior bull can produce 4,000 to 5,000 doses of frozen semen in a year,” he added.

Chancellor Cruz said in his message that the two structures are part of a much bigger picture in improving the lives of Filipinos as well as guaranteeing that improved breed of carabaos will continuously increase in the country.

“We look at these as not only a boost to what PCC is doing given its mandate but as our asset for research and for education of our own students. This is to us a welcome development. With the addition of the state-of-the-art equipment, the laboratory will be able to evaluate and process a higher volume of freshly collected semen to address the increasing demand for carabao upgrading in the Philippines,” said Chancellor Cruz.

On the other hand, Dr. Cruz, PCC head, acknowledged the support of the host institution and its strong partnership with PCC.

“The newly constructed facilities will provide good quality genetics that will allow PCC to cover three to four folds more than the usual number of farmers we service in a year,” he added.

He also cited PCC at UPLB as one of the best regional centers of PCC, adding that its center director and staff represent the best of PCC.

Dr. Cruz further said that the facilities will further boost the front-line services of the government and further enhance the opportunities to uplift the lives of the Filipino farmers.