Carabao farmer-members of dairy cooperatives being assisted by the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in Nueva Ecija province recently met in a general assembly to discuss their respective contribution in attaining the target of two million liters of milk for 2016.
A total of 53 participants joined the November 4 assembly held at the PCC national headquarters and gene pool in the Science City of Muñoz. Of this number, 38 are chairmen and representatives of various dairy co-ops in Nueva Ecija, which is the PCC’s national impact zone. The rest are PCC staff members.
The activity was organized by PCC’s Dairy Herd Improvement Program-Enterprise Development/National Impact Zone team (DHIP-ED/NIZ).
“Pinakita namin sa kanila ‘yong performance bawa’t kooperatiba noong 2014 at 2015. Mula doon, malalaman natin kung ilan ba dapat ang maging targets nila para makacontribute sa target na dalawang milyong litro ng gatas para sa 2016 base sa kung ilan yung animals nila. Ilan ang dapat mabuntis at magatasan para makacontribute sa 2M target (We presented the 2014 and 2015 performance analysis of each cooperative. From there, we’ll be able to determine their respective targets to contribute in the two-million liters of milk target for 2016 based on their animal holdings. How many animals should be lactating and be impregnated to contribute to the 2M target),” Wilma Del Rosario, PCC senior science research specialist, explained.
She added that the assembly also served as a planning session for the dairy co-ops to address gaps and problems they have in their groups and animals to ensure improved milk production.
Dr. Peregrino G. Duran, DHIP-ED/NIZ coordinator, provided updates on the overall analysis of NIZ operation, such as animal inventory and herd performance. He also urged dairy co-ops to actively work together in attaining the two-million liter milk target.
DHIP-ED/NIZ extension veterinarian Dr. Cecilio Castañeda, livestock specialist Genaro Candelaria and science research specialist II Dr. Lester S. Verona discussed matters related to animal health, breeding and calf production, respectively.
Mario Delizo, project development officer II, provided a synthesis of the topics covered and gave additional pointers on how the two-million liter target can be met.
Meanwhile, Dr. Felomino V. Mamuad, PCC deputy executive director, emphasized the importance of twice milking daily to attain the targeted milk production.
“Ang dalawang milyon na litro ng gatas ay hindi natin maaabot kung hindi kayo gagatas ng dalawang beses. Magtulungan tayo para makamit natin ‘yang target na ‘yan. Pangarap ko pa nga para sa inyo ay magkaroon kayo ng anak na mapag-aaral ninyo ng entrepreneurship para matuto sa pamamahala at pagpapatakbo ng kooperatiba. Turuan ninyo ang inyong mga anak, sila rin balang araw ang magtutuloy ng nasimulan niyo (We cannot attain the target of two million liters of milk if you will not practice the twice milking. Let us all work together to reach that target. I even dream for all of you to have at least one of your children be able to study entrepreneurship so that they will learn how to manage and run a cooperative. Teach your children. They will someday continue what you have started),” he said.
The assembly participants came from Aglipay Dairy Producers Cooperative, Agpapa Irrigators Association, Angat Buhay Producer Cooperative, Bibiclat Dairy Producers Cooperative, Cabisuculan Dairy Cooperative, Casile Dairy Producers Cooperative, Catalanacan Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CAMPC), Dimasalang Sur Credit Cooperative, Eastern Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (EPMPC), Guiset Organic Farmers Credit Cooperative, Kabulihan Farmers Producers Cooperative, Kadre Development Cooperative, Kapitbahayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Makabagong Kooperatiba ng Bantug PMPC, Nag-iisang Masikap MPC, New Mamandil Cooperative, PAO Producers Cooperative, Pulong Buli PMPCI, Rizal west CASCI, Samahan Sto. Monica para sa Likas kayang pag-unlad, San Rafael Dairy Producers Cooperative, Simula ng Panibagong Bukas Producers Cooperative, Sn. Vicente Dairy Producers Cooperative, United Farmers Producers Cooperative, Licaong Dairy Producer Cooperative, NEFEDCCO, Caudillo Gulay at Prutas Producers Cooperative, Punla MPC, and Bagong Pag-asa sa Bagong Talavera.
