The DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) recently held the second phase of its #OhmAIKalabaw! (OMK!) Campaign in Capiz, bringing the benefits of artificial insemination (AI) technology directly to carabao farmers and technicians.
The campaign, which was conducted on October 29-30, 2024 reached communities in barangays Binuntucan, Pontevedra, and Mainit, Cuartero, aiming to increase farmers’ awareness on AI both as a reproductive technology tool for upgrading the breed of carabaos and a reliable income source for farmers and AI technicians.
Led by the Knowledge Management Division (KMD) and the DA-PCC at West Visayas State University (DA-PCC at WVSU), a total of 280 attendees from the said areas, consisting of carabao farmers, AI technicians, and carabao-based cooperatives, attended the campaign.
“Layon ng OMK!, isang kampanyang isinasagawa ng DA-Philippine Carabao Center, na palaganapin ang serbisyong AI sa buong bansa at pataasin ang populasyon ng mga kalabaw na may mataas na lahi,” DA-PCC OIC KMD Chief and OMK! Campaign Program Director Rowena Galang said. She added, “Sa paraang ito, tataas ang produksyon ng gatas sa bansa at lalago ang mga industriyang salig sa iba’t iba pang produkto na galing sa kalabaw.”
Dr. Edwin Atabay, DA-PCC’s OIC deputy executive director and national AI and Bull Entrustment program coordinator, shared insights on breeding practices to boost dairy production, while Dr. Myrtel Alcazar, officer-in-charge center director of DA-PCC at WVSU, highlighted best practices in increasing AI efficiency.
“Ang OMK! campaign ay nagsisimbolo ng commitment ng DA-PCC para i-professionalize ang AI as a viable source of income ng ating mga magkakalabaw sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalawig at pagpapaunlad ng lahi ng kalabaw,” DA-PCC Executive Director Dr. Liza Battad said as she graced the OMK! activation program in the Visayas cluster.
Additionally, Henry Tumlos, municipal mayor of Pontevedra, also shared the potential of the city to enhance its calf and milk production through AI.
In support of the campaign, Cuartero Mayor Tito Mayo also expressed, “Sa kampanya ng DA-PCC, malalaman ng mga tao rito sa Cuartero kung ano ang mga kahalagahan ng artificial insemination. Mawawala rin ang takot nila sa paggamit ng teknolohiya, tulad ng AI, sa pagpaparami ng kalabaw.”
The OMK! Campaign was first launched in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat last October 3. It is set to be launched in Luzon in the province of Isabela before year-end.
