The DA-Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center XII (DA-ATI-RTC XII) and DA-Philippine Carabao Center at USM have extended their partnership in enhancing the knowledge and skills of Agriculture Extension Workers (AEWs) by conducting a training that focuses on the utilization of research outputs and hands-on experiences in Artificial Insemination (AI) for large ruminants.
The training was held on August 7 to 18 in Kabacan, Cotabato. It was participated in by 18 select AEWs from Region XII and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) where a majority of them had already undergone a basic training course on pregnancy diagnosis and AI in large ruminants.
The DA-PCC’s pool of experts led by Dr. Edwin C. Atabay together with Joseph Oliver Lofranco, Dir. Benjamin John C. Basilio, Jeffrey A. Rabanal, Dr. Virigilio V. Lopez, and Nasrola S. Ibrahim served as resource speakers for the following topics: animal health, animal nutrition, semen motility testing, fixed-time AI, and ultrasonography.
“This training provided us additional knowledge on AI and served as a refresher course for us. Makakaasa kayo na babaunin namin ang mga kaalaman na ito at ibabahagi sa mga magsasaka na aming nasasakupan,” AI Technician Ronald Padilla said.
During the culmination program of the said training, ATI Assistant Director Mona P. Dela Cruz and DA-PCC at USM AI Coordinator Jeffrey A. Rabanal emphasized the vital role of trained individuals in intensifying the genetic improvement program for carabao and cattle in their respective regions.
Moreover, DA-PCC at USM Center Director Basilio expressed his gratitude to ATI for its continued support of the carabao upgrading program. He added this initiative has the potential to enhance calf drop efficiency, consequently contributing to an eventual increase in milk production that can adequately meet the demands of the country’s dairy industry.
