Month: October 2024

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) officially launched its first #OhmAIKalabaw! (OMK!) Activation Program in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat on October 3, 2024, in the hope of improving calf and milk production nationwide through artificial insemination (AI).

OMK! is a communication campaign, which aims to increase awareness and understanding of AI services among stakeholders and, consequently, participation in the Carabao Upgrading Program with the help of “Super KAI,” a character launched as part of the campaign representing the efforts of AI technicians in buffalo breeding and raising awareness about the importance of AI.

More than 200 carabao farmers and AI technicians from the municipality participated in the event.

Mayor Ma. Katrina Buena F. Sandigan expressed her appreciation to DA-PCC for selecting President Quirino as the site for the program’s first activation. She highlighted the program’s potential to enhance calf production and serve as a model for increased milk production in the province.

“Malaking tulong ang nagagawa ng programa ng DA-PCC sa pagkakalabaw at paggagatas. Marami itong maitutulong lalo na sa ating kalusugan at additional income din galing sa gatas ng kalabaw,” Mayor Sandigan said.

Dr. Geoffray R. Atok, center director of DA-PCC at University of Southern Mindanao, proudly noted that this was the first OMK activation in the country. He emphasized that Sultan Kudarat would soon begin producing carabao’s milk.

“Hindi lang kayo ang una sa Sultan Kudarat, hindi lang kayo ang una sa buong Region, kayo ang una sa buong Pilipinas! Dito po sa President Quirino magsisimula ang supply ng gatas na ipoproseso ng Sultan Kudarat!” Dir. Atok averred.

The event also included a lecture from Dr. Edwin C. Atabay, OIC-Deputy Executive Director of DA-PCC and the National AI and Bull Entrustment Coordinator, on best breeding practices for dairy production and Dr. Virgilio V. Lopez, GIP Coordinator of DA-PCC at USM, on best practices in enhancing AI efficiency.

On the other hand, Rowena S. Galang, Knowledge Management Division’s OIC Chief and OMK! Program Director, discussed the rationale behind the OMK! Campaign, while Arnel Patricio Sr., the province’s top AI technician, shared his experiences and the benefits of AI.

The program concluded with an AI Bayanihan, led by Dr. Atabay and Dr. Lopez. The LGU and DA-PCC at USM also provided health services to carabaos in the barangay such as deworming, vitamin administration, and vaccination.

A total of 32 research and development (R&D) studies from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) were presented during its annual in-house review held at the Eusebio-Castillo Hall, DA-PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool, in Science City of Muñoz from September 25 to 27.

The event highlighted the agency’s latest research efforts in the livestock sector, specifically focusing on water buffalo production.
Over the three-day event, best papers were recognized in different categories per thematic area:

Best Research Paper in Socio-economics, Environment, and Policy category: “The Financial Viability of the Dairy Buffalo Farming Business” presented by Zadieshar G. Sanchez

Best Research Paper in Technology Transfer category: “Examining the Effectiveness of School-on-the-Air on Dairy Buffalo Production II CALABARZON: An Analysis of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Participating Farmers” presented by Kyla A. Rodriguez

Best Research Paper in Production System and Nutrition category: “Development of Probiotics with Moringa Extract as Feed Supplement for the Health and Production Performance of Water Buffalos (Bubalus bubalis)” presented by Anne Franchette Asuncion.

Best Development Paper in Animal Health and Biosafety category: “Development of a prototype for loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection or screening of lumpy skin disease (LSD)” presented by Dr. Arren Christian M. de Giua

Best Development Paper in Animal Breeding and Genomics: “Presence of PRLR-slick mutation in Philippine cattle: A PCR approach to genetic frequency analysis” presented by Alexander M. Paraguas

Best Undergraduate Research: “Effect of fermentation and processing procedures on the quality and safety of shelf-stable carabeef sausage sticks” presented by JC Medel A. Victorio

Best Post-Graduate Research: “Whole genome sequencing of the Philippine Swamp buffalo and initial insights from the 1000 buffalo genomes project” by Paulene S. Pineda

According to Dr. Eric P. Palacpac, Officer-in-Charge of the Research and Development Division (RDD), the event highlighted research across seven thematic study areas divided into two categories—development paper and research paper. He explained that research papers focused on generating and expanding knowledge, while development studies aimed at translating research into practical solutions for the carabao and livestock industry.

Executive Director Dr. Liza G. Battad expressed her hope that the technologies presented would be implemented at the industry level to enhance carabao profitability and productivity. Meanwhile, Deputy Executive Director for Production and Research Dr. Claro N. Mingala emphasized the significance of the event in highlighting DA-PCC’s research efforts, noting that DA-PCC could evolve into a national livestock research institute with a broader focus beyond water buffalo.

The panel of reviewers for the research papers included experts from the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) and Central Luzon State University (CLSU) including Dr. April Shayne Lobaton Sulabo, Dr. Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla, Dr. Rommel C. Sulabo, Dr. Joice V. San Andres, and Dr. Maria Excelsis M. Orden.

The annual in-house review is part of DA-PCC’s preparation for major scientific conventions, such as those organized by the Philippine Society of Animal Science (PSAS) and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). The review also tracks the progress and impact of DA-PCC’s livestock studies for the benefit of stakeholders and partner agencies.

The DA-PCC at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DA-PCC at DMMMSU) has enhanced the capabilities of its artificial insemination (AI) technicians through a two-day refresher course and forum held from September 25-26, 2024, at LGU Agri-tourism, Amlang, Rosario, La Union.

The training aimed to reinforce the knowledge of AI technicians in conducting efficient and high-quality AI services—a critical component in improving service delivery to rural farmers.

Reynaldo Paneda, AI coordinator of the Center, acknowledged that the efficiency of AI technicians and calf drop monitoring are the main factors affecting the Center’s target.

He also mentioned that based on the analysis of the AI database of the Center, only 10 technicians met the required AI efficiency rate. To address this gap, the Center organized the refresher course and forum.

The first day of the event focused on providing AI technicians with a refresher on key practices, such as proper form filling, thawing and handling of semen, and actual AI procedures. The second day featured a forum led by Paneda, addressing common issues, sharing updates, and devising strategies to improve the delivery of AI services.

During the event, outstanding village-based AI technicians were recognized for their exemplary performance. Christian Dela Rosa, Davis Pascua, and Arnold Basuel were awarded for achieving the highest AI efficiency rates, while Jessie Aromin, Arnold Basuel, and Josue Abando received recognition for the highest calf drop reports.

Dela Rosa, who earned the top spot in AI efficiency, stated that he always ensures that carabaos are in good health with correct body condition score before performing AI procedures and that he follows best practices as advised by his AI team leader.

The center has also provided AI paraphernalia and supplies to the technicians.

A scheduled meeting with the Regional and Provincial AI coordinators within the service area of the Center will be held on the 2nd week of October 2024 to raise the issues of AI technicians and provide a cohesive action plan for the successful implementation of the AI program.

The said initiative is part of the Center’s commitment to the agency’s mandate of conserving, propagating, and promoting the carabao for the benefit of rural farmers.