Eighteen farmers attended the site validation and meeting for the Coconut-Carabao Development Project (CCDP) in the province of Biliran last February 17 at Brgy. Canilag, Biliran, Biliran.
Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center at Visayas State University (DA-PCC at VSU) Center Director Francisco Gabunada, Jr. led the activity together with Biliran Municipal Agriculturist Limuel Antonio, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Community Development Officer Joanne Corpin and Project Development Officer Chrestian Bacalla, who discussed the potentials of carabao development program and objectives of CCDP with the prospective farmer-beneficiaries on the site.
“Dako na mabubulig kini ha amon kung mahitabo ang maong proyekto kay dugang kini na panginabuhian namo sa adlaw-adlaw. (The project will be a great help for us farmers because it gives us additional livelihood),” according to Thelma Nierras, one of the farmer-beneficiaries.
Before the said site validation and meeting, Dir. Gabunada paid a courtesy call to Biliran Mayor Hon. Grace J. Casil and introduced the plans to the project.
A total of 1,800 pots of guinea grass and sweet napier planting materials were given to the beneficiaries as part of the project’s initial step.
The CCDP is made possible through the support of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, and will be implemented by the DA-PCC and DA-PCA. It aims to contribute to the uplifting of the economic situation of coconut farmers by way of establishing carabao-based enterprises in the country complemented by increased coconut farm productivity.
During the implementation of CCDP, the PCA will select and validate the project sites and beneficiaries and endorse it to the DA-PCC. The latter will then facilitate orientations, social preparation and capability-building activities of beneficiaries on topics such as Carabao Production, Processing and Marketing.
Other CCDP pilot sites for Eastern Visayas are Macalpi,Carigara, Leyte; Malapoc Sur, Maasin City, Southern Leyte; San Antonio, Basey, Samar; and Kalingnan, Catubig, Northern Samar.
