Soon, local dairy farmers’ produce in Nueva Ecja (NE) province will easily find their way to customers as NE provincial government had committed support in the improvement of milk processing facility and expansion of market for carabao’s milk and dairy products.
NE Governor Aurelio “Oyie” Umali made the pledge during his conversation with DA-PCC Executive Director Dr. Arnel Del Barrio at Milka Krem in the Science City of Muñoz last May 22.
In his visit to the DA-PCC headquarters, Gov. Umali said he will personally make this happen as he recognizes that carabao-based livelihood is a crucial component of farming in NE. His office plans to procure equipment, put up a processing facility and marketing outlet.
According to him, this initiative supports the province’s aim to officially become the “Dairy Buffalo Capital of the Philippines”.
He added that marketing of dairy products produced in NE should expand to the Metro Manila market considering that carabao’s milk is a highly valued commodity. While this is obtaining, he said schools in the province should carry carabao’s milk as a must-drink beverage among schoolchildren.
Meanwhile, Dr. Del Barrio said DA-PCC will show the same enthusiasm as the Governor in pursuing its mandate and in rendering its services. “We are happy to support his administration and accept his challenge in continuing our efforts to help local dairy farmers in NE,” he said.
Also present during the visit were 2nd District Board Member Joseph Ortiz, who is an avid customer of Milka Krem dairy products, and former Board Member Rommel Padilla.
At present, there are about 50 farmer-cooperatives assisted by the DA-PCC in NE, which is also the National Impact Zone for carabao-based enterprise development.
