The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at University of the Philippines Los Baños (DA-PCC at UPLB), in partnership with Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) Farm School and the Agriculture Training Institute (ATI)-CALABARZON, conducted a training seminar on dairy buffalo production and management on June 8-9, 2023 in Bacoor, Cavite and Los Baños, Laguna.
The training aims to introduce proper carabao management and production practices that result in a myriad of livelihood opportunities that local farmers and communities can benefit from.
“I’m glad that the farmers are participating in seminars such as this as it will broaden their knowledge on carabao dairy farming and farm sustainability. In this way, it will help boost our local industry sector,” said Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson of the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform.
“We should be willing and open to learn”, said Zadieshar Sanchez, Chief of the Planning and Information Management Division (PIMD) of DA-PCC.
He encouraged the participants to learn from the basics of dairy buffalo management and dedicate themselves to the development of the local carabao dairy industry.
On the other hand, Dr. Eric Palacpac, Chief of the Knowledge Management Division (KMD) of DA-PCC shared DA-PCC’s KM initiatives such as its extension and advisory services so that more farmers can readily and easily access DA-PCC’s development programs.
Dr. Rolando Maningas, Center Director of ATI-CALABARZON, expressed their objective to capacitate local farmers in partnership with DA-PCC and the institute’s gratitude for the participants’ support to this joint undertaking.
The participants are expected to learn about the carabao industry, be more knowledgeable on the care, management and practices in dairy buffalo production such as in nutrition management (forage and pasture production and establishment, feeding and feeding requirements), and animal health management (estrous cycle, heat detection, and breeding practices).
Participating in the two-day training are 25 carabao farmers from the region. The said training was initiated by the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform headed by Sen. Villar.
