PCC at Central Mindanao University (PCC-CMU) recently added 16 Artificial Insemination (AI) technicians to its roster of allies in the field when it comes to genetic improvement of carabaos.
The batch, which was named “Sharp Shooters”, was trained at the PCC at CMU Regional Training Center on “Basic Training Course on Pregnancy Diagnosis and Artificial Insemination for Cattle and Water Buffalo” from August 8 to 31, 2016. Four of the participants are village-based AI technicians, seven are from local government units (LGU), three are private individuals, one from PCC-CMU and one from the university dairy cattle project. The participants represented the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Bukidnon, Surigao del Sur, North Cotabato, Davao del Norte, and Sarangani.
The training is seen by PCC-CMU as one of its strategies to intensify the realization of the genetic improvement program for carabao and cattle in the region and to capacitate its partner LGUs and other stakeholders on the necessary skills and proficiency in the conduct of pregnancy diagnosis (PD) and AI for large ruminants.
Lectures, discussions, and practicum exercises were used as methods of learning and the participants were encouraged to actively get involved with actual AI and PD. Pre- and post-training evaluations were administered to the participants to measure their knowledge gain from the course.
The training team is composed of Dr. Lowell Paraguas (PCC-CMU center director), Vicenta Canatoy (training coordinator), and PCC-CMU’s pool of AI experts: Ramon Jumawan, Armando Racho, Ramon Soliven Jr., Virgilio Abon, Jesus Colipano, and Ariel Asong.
After 15 days of practicum, five days of lecture-discussions and a day of re-entry plan presentation and evaluation, the participants were confirmed as newly trained AI technicians.
