The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Central Mindanao University (DA-PCC at CMU) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) for the cooperative ‘Dairy Mentors’ development program under the CAFE-Dairy Project at the Office of the President, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon, on July 17, 2024.
The CAFE-DAIRY stands for Cooperative Assistance and Farm Extension to Develop Agri-Enterprises of Indigenous Peoples and Rural Youth Project. This project, co-funded by the European Union and the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (GIZ), aims to promote peace through agriculture development using the value chain approach in the dairy and coffee industries in regions 9 and 10 to benefit 1,800 farmers, including indigenous people, women, and youth.
Moreover, this project is part of “Strengthening the Implementation of Regional and Local Peace Development Agendas in Mindanao” (SPADe) as part of a broader program of the Mindanao Peace and Development Program (MinPAD RISE).
Dr. Lowell Paraguas, center director of DA-PCC at CMU, conveyed his appreciation and pledged to share the Center’s resources and technologies as well as to offer accessible channels for the advancement of carabao-related services.
“As part of the dairy industry, we commit to do our part as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement to utilize our expertise and best practices in dairy production along with the value chain that could further enhance the knowledge of our target assisted dairy farmers,” Dr. Paraguas expressed.
Select dairy farmers from Paglaum Multipurpose Cooperative of Misamis Occidental and Oro Integrated Cooperative of Misamis Oriental will undergo an 8-month ‘Dairy Mentors’ capability building from July 2024 to March 2025.
Furthermore, CAFÉ DAIRY NATCCO project manager Alejandro Almendral shared the outcome of this “Dairy Mentor” project.
“As a step toward this direction, the partner cooperatives will develop their dairy technicians or mentors and dairy learning farms that can serve their nearby dairy farmers and members,” Almendral said.
The MOA was signed by Dr. Paraguas, Central Mindanao University President Dr. Rolito Eballe, NATCCO Chief Executive Officer Engr. Sylvia Paraguya, NDA-Department Manager Jester John Jadap, witnessed by DA-PCC at CMU CBED Coordinator Dr. Elena Paraguas, Dean of CMU College of Agriculture Dr. Judith Intong, Project Manager NATCCO Alejandro Almendral, and Department Chairperson of Animal Science of CMU College of Agriculture Ana Celina Soriano.
