To widen, promote and increase the market of buffalo dairy products in the province, the Philippine Carabao Center at Central Mindanao University (PCC@CMU) inaugurated the first ever dairy box in Bukidnon at the Door 2, Echalico Building, Sayre Highway, Don Carlos, Bukidnon last July 26.
“This opportunity offered by the PCC to all carapreneurs and cooperatives within the locality to promote the dairy products was in response to imminent and growing demand for locally produced milk,” said by Dr. Lowell C. Paraguas, center director of PCC@CMU during the soft opening of the outlet.
According to Dr. Paraguas, the center will manage the outlet within a year, thereafter, it will be turned over to Muleta Side Buffalo Dairy Association (MUSBUDA) and Don Carlos Buffalo Dairy Farmers Association (DCBDFA) as target beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the main objective of the Dairy Box is to mainstream the locally produced and processed dairy products of its surrounding community. The outlet sells products such as white cheese, pastillas, fresh milk, flavoured milk (ube, pandan, melon,and strawberry) and other consignment products.
Speaking before the members of MUSBUDA and DCBDFA, Leni Baylo, agricultural technician of Don Carlos shared that hardwork, determination and honesty are the keys to success in this kind of business.
“I hope that the associations will take this project seriously since PCC gave their full support and effort to assist them on how to market their dairy products strategically,” she added.
Moreover, Hon. Rex Mercadera, vice mayor of the municipality of Don Carlos also graced the event and mentioned about the request of Dr. Paraguas to build a mini-processing facility for the associations.
“Putting up a mini-processing facility in the area is very essential to the associations for them to process their own products. We will give our 100% support for the sustainability of this project in our municipality,” Mercadera added.
More than a hundred people have attended and visited the outlet during the launch, which also witnessed the blessings of the two-storey building led by Reverend Father Angel Cumabig. The store is open to the public (Monday to Sunday) from 8am to 5pm.