The Philippine Carabao Center at University of Southern Mindanao (PCC at USM) recently awarded 21 Italian Buffaloes to 21 qualified farmer-members of the Braulio E. Dujali Farmers’ Livestock Raisers and Dairy Workers’ Association in the municipality of Braulio E. Dujali, Davao del Norte.
The turn-over ceremony was held May 26 at the Farmers’ Training Center, Palayamanan, Brgy. Cabayangan of Dujali town, which is part of Region XI or the Davao region.
One of the highlights of the program was the signing of a memorandum of agreement between PCC and the Dujali local government unit (LGU) stating, among others, the responsibilities of both signatories.
With the release of the Italian buffaloes through the Modified Paiwi Scheme-25 Dairy Module, PCC shall provide technical support in terms of health management, breeding, dairy production, record keeping, product development and marketing for a sustainable carabao-based enterprise.
At present, some farmers are already milking their crossbreds. With the arrival of the Italian buffaloes, the association’s production and income are projected to increase when the animals reach the milking stage and the milk produce processed into various dairy products.
Dr. Arnel N. del Barrio, PCC acting executive director; Lolita A. Moral, Duhali municipal mayor, and Benjamin John C. Basilio, PCC at USM center director led the signing rites. Also present were Vice Mayor Samuel F. Pacres, Municipal Agriculturist Nelson C. Baer, Dairy Association president Arturo Mosqueza as well as representatives from the Sangguniang Bayan, Davao del Norte second congressional district, Office of the Governor, Department of Agriculture-RFO XI, Quarantine Office, Provincial Veterinary Office, officers and members of the dairy association, and staff of DA-LGU and PCC-USM.
PCC’s Carabao-based Enterprise Development (CBED) envisions the improvement of the quality of life of people in farming communities through carabao dairying with strong LGU support.
