More than 90 farmers from different municipalities and cities in Bukidnon participated in the Cara-Aralan Farmers’ Field Day (FFD) on October 17 to advance their knowledge and skills in animal nutrition and feeding technologies.
The FFD, structured as a concise version of the Farmer Field School initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), focused on equipping farmers with the skills to adopt innovative technologies aimed at increasing dairy productivity and profitability.
DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Central Mindanao University (DA-PCC at CMU) Agriculture Center Chief IV Dr. Lowell Paraguas welcomed the participants and expressed his appreciation to the Municipality of Don Carlos, Bukidnon, led by Mayor Ma. Victoria Pizarro, for its continued support of local farmers, particularly carapreneurs.
“An event like this provides a unique opportunity for hands-on learning and knowledge sharing, fostering innovation and collaboration within our agricultural community. The workshops and demonstrations you will participate in today are designed not only to elevate your skills but also to improve productivity and sustainability in our dairying practices,” Dr. Paraguas added.
Charity Castillo, Science Research Specialist I from the DA-PCC’s Production Systems and Nutrition Section (PSNS), presented the topic on “Forage and Feed Production, Conservation, and Utilization.”
“Forage and feed production are critical components of sustainable livestock management and play a vital role in ensuring the health and productivity of animals. Effective forage production begins with selecting appropriate plant species suited to local climates and soil types, which can optimize nutritional value,” Catillo highlighted.
Dr. Phoebe Lyndia Llantada, Science Research Specialist II also from the DA-PCC’s PSNS, provided valuable insights into effective ensiling techniques and proper feeding practices to ensure the health and productivity of livestock.
“Silage making is not just a method of forage preservation; it is a strategic approach that enhances livestock nutrition, reduces costs, and supports sustainable agricultural practices,” Dr. Llantada said.
During the afternoon session, participants engaged in hands-on activities to learn about the latest innovations from DA-PCC. They explored techniques for ensiling, storing, and producing high-quality carabao feed using innovative technologies like Blockmate and Buro Booster, which were presented by Dr. Phoebe Llantada and Charity Castillo.
Elma Ormillo, one of the participants, expressed her appreciation to DA-PCC for sharing valuable practices and improved techniques in feeding and conservation of forage intended for large ruminants.
“On behalf of many attendees here, we wanted to take this opportunity to say “Daghang Salamat” to DA-PCC and LGU-Don Carlos for giving us this impactful training. As a farmer, I am excited to share the new knowledge I have gained with my fellow farmers in our barangay,” Ormillo happily shared.
The activity, held at the Tourism Hall, Lake Pinamaloy, Don Carlos Bukidnon, was organized by the DA-PCC’s Knowledge Management Division in collaboration with the DA-PCC at CMU and hosted by the Municipal Agriculture Office of Don Carlos, Bukidnon.
