In an effort to further promote a profitable carabao-based enterprise among smallhold farmers in Eastern Pangasinan, the Philippine Carabao Center partnered with several organizations thru a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to showcase a complete dairy chain model for the province.
The project titled “Complete Dairy Chain Model for Eastern Pangasinan,” demonstrates a chain of interdependent processes needed for local dairy development. It also provides technical know-how necessary for a successful carabao dairying to smallhold dairy producers.
The formalization of the MOA was facilitated by the PCC at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University in La Union, headed by Director Gloria M. Dela Cruz.
Collaborating with PCC in this project is the BUDHI ng Pilipinas Foundation, Inc. which is a non-profit, non-stock corporation operating in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan; Tulong Dairy Farmers Association (Tulong DFA) which is an organization of smallhold dairy farmers in Tulong, Urdaneta City; and SHAHANI GATAS ng KALABAW Products Inc. (SGKP), a dairy processing and marketing entity in Urdaneta City.
Signatories of the MOA were former Senator Leticia V. Ramos-Shahani (SGKP proprietor), Anastacio A. Millar, Sr. (President, Tulong DFA), Ester C. Lomboy (President, BUDHI Foundation) and Dr. Libertado C. Cruz (Executive Director, PCC).
Under the agreement, PCC will provide necessary technologies and trainings to members of the Tulong DFA and other smallhold dairy producers in Pangasinan thru the establishment of a “Dairy Farmers School.”
PCC is also committed to help acquire appropriate milk processing equipment and provide fund for the construction of a processing cum product outlet facility named “Best Dairy Product Outlet” (BDPO) which aims to scale-up the present dairy business operation into a more competitive and self-liquidating entity.
Members of Tulong DFA, on the other hand, will support the project thru practicing technologies taught at the Dairy Farmers School. The cooperative is also responsible in encouraging the adoption of carabao-based enterprises among other smallhold farmers in Pangasinan.
Moreover, based on the agreement, SGKP will purchase its raw milk requirements from Tulong DFA members and other smallhold dairy farmers in Pangasinan. It will also build market linkages for the distribution and marketing of carabao’s milk and milk products.
According to Dr. Annabelle Sarabia, operations chief of PCC, the agency committed to establish an SGKP product outlet along a section of McArthur Highway near Urdaneta City to demonstrate the complete supply chain in the area.
With appropriate training facilities and demonstration farm, BUDHI Foundation, for its part, will host the Dairy Farmers School. It will also assist in mobilizing educational institutions to promote carabao’s milk products.
“It is a model of dairy chain from production up to market with farmers using best practices on carabao management and dairying,” Dr. Sarabia summarizes the project.
It is hoped that the project will be replicated in other regions to strengthen and hasten the development of carabao-based enterprise in the country.
