Carapreneurs or dairy carabao farmers in Nueva Ecija alongside staff members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform (CAFAR) participated today in the Cara-Aralan Farmers’ Field Day (FFD)—a technology showcase of DA-PCC’s innovative practices and research outputs for extension and advisory support.
The carapreneurs were invited to also participate in the “Senate CAFAR Consultation on Senate Bill 2558” held at the National Headquarters and Gene Pool of the DA-PCC, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.
The CAFAR delegation was led by Senator Cynthia Villar’s chief of staff Atty. Rhaegie Tamaña and Atty. Philip Lina.
The Cara-Aralan Farmers’ Field Day, a learning event platform of the DA-PCC’s Knowledge Management Division, was designed to enhance farmers’ knowledge and technical skills. It showcased today various technologies aimed at boosting dairy productivity and income. Four key technologies currently implemented by the the DA-PCC in Nueva Ecija villages were highlighted for their potential to significantly improve dairy farming outcomes.
Mary Rose D. Uy, Senior Science Research Specialist and head of the Production Systems and Nutrition Section, led the demonstration. She first introduced the Enhanced Rice Straw technology (eRS). She said eRS supports better nutrition for carabaos. Enhanced feed quality is crucial for the health and productivity of dairy livestock, she added.
Edwin Gonzales, Science Research Specialist I, presented Buro Booster, a technology offering efficient solutions for food production. The Buro Booster helps farmers maximize feed efficiency, thereby improving the overall health of their livestock and boosting dairy production.
Psalm Joseph Lavarias, Science Research Analyst, explained the benefits of Blockmate, a nutrition block that provides essential nutrients to carabaos. This technology ensures the optimal growth and productivity of dairy animals, contributing to the sustainability of dairy farming operations.
Highlighting the techno-demo was the use of Agras T30 Drone developed by DJI. This agricultural drone can be used to effectively spray pesticides, fertilizers, and other crop treatments over large areas of farmland, demonstrating its practical application in Philippine agriculture.
The Cara-Aralan (FFD) is a concise version of the Farmer Field School, a people-oriented learning approach developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that emphasizes hands-on learning and practical application. It aims to empower farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively implement new technologies.
