Author: Ronaline Canute

The Rosario Dairy Farmers Cooperative (RDFC) in Rosario, La Union emerged as the regional winner for Small-agri-business and Industry category during the 2023 Productivity Olympics held at ARVI Scenery Resort, San Fernando City, La Union earlier today.

The Productivity Olympics is a national competition initiated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which aimed to recognize the exceptional productivity exhibited by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the agribusiness, service, and industry sectors.

“The cooperative must optimize the utilization of its resources to enhance both productivity and profitability. By ensuring the co-op’s profitability, sustainable operations are guaranteed, leading to substantial benefits for the nuwang (carabao) farmers, as they gain a dependable market for their milk harvest,” Annalyn Tade, RDFC’s manager, said. RDFC is one of the assisted cooperatives of DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DA-PCC at DMMMSU).

From 2021 to 2022, the co-op actively participated in the Milk Feeding Program of DepEd and DSWD as a supplier of carabao’s milk. In one school year alone, they supplied PHP8 million worth of milk to DepEd.The co-op also operates a Dairy Box outlet situated in Rosario, La Union. This establishment serves as a direct platform for the cooperative’s dairy products, proving to be advantageous for both dairy farmers and the local community. The store offers a diverse range of milk-based products, such as pastillas, fresh milk, and flavored milk drinks.

Young carapreneur Allen Paul Santos, 23 years old and founding leader of Eden Youth Association (EYA), led his team of other young carabao-based entrepreneurs in receiving the prestigious Villar SIPAG award as “Most Outstanding Youth Social Enterprise” last July 21 at the Villar SIPAG Center in Las Piñas City.

EYA, a young carapreneurs’ group located in San Francisco, Tarlac City, established Ka’Gatas Dairy Farm. The area was previously used for dog breeding but is now converted to a bustling carabao-based enterprise that actively engages its community of youths in various milk production and marketing activities in Tarlac and neighboring province of Pampanga.

Ka’Gatas Dairy Farm is supported by DA-PCC at Central Luzon State University and the local government of Tarlac City.

Santos shared their experience having successfully hurdled the stringent selection process that took over a month of rigorous evaluation.

“Ang aming napanalunan ay para sa pinapangarap ng grupo na magkaroon ng sariling dairy processing at outlet. Ang layunin namin ay ang umasenso ang bawa’t kasapi ng grupo,” Santos said.

The young carapreneur, with other founding members Mikee Anne Castañeda, Patrick Rican Navarro, Philip Navarro, and Ron Mikko Rodriguez who were with him during the awarding ceremonies, said he is grateful of the people behind EYA’s inspiration to join the competition. It was because of these people’s constant support, he said, that their group is aiming to achieve more and go wider.

Dr. Ericson dela Cruz, center director of DA-PCC at CLSU, said the center will be in full support of the young carapreneurs’ journey as they soar high in their chosen enterprise. The young carapreneurs, he added, prove that Rizal’s immortalized line “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan” couldn’t be any truer today.

The Villar SIPAG Awards program is managed by the Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance)—a hub of advocacies, activities and action to help poor Filipinos. It aims to recognize outstanding initiatives of community enterprises and models of good practices.

A groundbreaking ceremony and signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of a dairy processing plant and marketing outlet was held last July 20 in Brgy. Sto. Tomas, Lubao, Pampanga.

The said facility called Dairy Box is the seventh in a row established in Region 3 and to be operated by the Lubao Farmers and Fisherfolk Agriculture Cooperative (LFFAC).

The outlet, a market development support for carapreneurs, will rise in the area where Lubao town’s former slaughter house and National Food Authority (NFA) office was. The trading hub, which is owned by the LGU, was chosen as a strategic site for the Dairy Box because of its prime location according to Mayor Esmeralda Pineda. The MOA was signed by Mayor Pineda, LFFAC Chairperson Jesus Nuqui, DA-PCC at Central Luzon State University Center Director Dr. Ericson Dela Cruz and witnessed by partner stakeholders.

The Dairy Box is an infrastructure component of the Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) or ALAB Karbawan project supported by the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food chaired by Senator Cynthia Villar.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center’s (DA-PCC) “Karbaw Magasin” has bagged the 2022 Binhi Awards’ “Best Agri Government Publication” during the awarding ceremony held today at the National Food Authority Building in Quezon City.

The Binhi Awards is a prestigious award-giving body of the Philippine Agricultural Journalists (PAJ) in cooperation with the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to pay tribute to the exceptional contributions and achievements of the country’s agricultural journalists and government information officers involved in agri-related matters.

“Karbaw (a Hiligaynon word which means “carabao” or “buffalo”) Magasin” is a quarterly publication written in Filipino, featuring success stories of carapreneurs and other value chain players in the carabao industry. This magazine extensively covers topics related to the Carabao Development Program, encompassing innovative dairy carabao farming practices, scientific breakthroughs, and the socioeconomic impact of carapreneurship. on rural farming communities.

The publication’s team of editors, writers, layout artists, and photographers collaborate to bring agriculture stories to life, weaving together informative articles, in-depth interviews, engaging visuals, and success stories from various stakeholders.

Karbaw Magasin is produced by the Applied Communication Section (ACS) of the Knowledge Management Division (KMD). It is edited by KMD chief Dr. Eric Palacpac and ACS-KMD head Rowena Galang, managed by Ma. Cecilia Irang-Mariano, and laid out by Dine Yve Daganos. Its writers Ma. Cecilia Irang-Mariano, Ronaline Canute, Dine Yve Daganos, Rovelyn Jacang, and the DA-PCC’s regional knowledge managers are regular contributors.

Dr. Palacpac conveyed his heartfelt gratitude for the recognition and extended warm congratulations to the team.

“I am sincerely grateful to all of you who have breathed life into Karbaw Magasin throughout these years. Thank you for your unwavering passion, hard work, and dedication,” he expressed.

According to PAJ President Fermin Diaz, this year’s Binhi Awards contest, themed “Sharpening our pens towards recovery,” garnered a total of 67 entries. However, following a rigorous screening process, only 37 entries advanced to the judging stage.

The competition encompassed various categories, both minor and major, such as Agri Photojournalist of the Year, Agri Broadcast Journalist of the Year, Agri Beat Reporter of the Year, Best Agri-related Social Media Page, and Best Agri-related Advocacy Campaign, among others.

The DA-PCC held a graduation ceremony for the pilot batch of its New Employees Orientation (NEO) Program, marking the successful completion of an intensive training program that equipped new employees with knowledge and skills related to their roles, and the agency’s mandate, programs, and services.

Zadieshar Sanchez, NEO Program champion, presented the knowledge gain results of Batch 1. He cited that the overall knowledge of NEO students about DA-PCC programs has significantly increased with an average improvement rate of 58.19% between the initial diagnostic exam and the final exam. This means that the NEO program has successfully achieved its intended main outcome.

After the presentation, a recognition ceremony ensued to acknowledge and honor the graduates for their unwavering commitment and dedication in familiarizing themselves with the agency’s mission, vision, and goals.

A total of 67 graduates were presented with certificates of recognition, acknowledging their exceptional efforts and determination throughout the NEO program. Recognizing the outstanding achievements of select graduates, the event also included the awarding of medals and certificates to the top performers. Such acknowledgment served as a testament to their exemplary dedication and grasp of the core values and principles of DA-PCC.

Dr. Caro Salces, OIC Executive Director, concluded the event by delivering a closing message where he extended heartfelt congratulations to the graduates. He emphasized the significance of embracing continuous learning, nurturing personal growth, and maintaining unwavering dedication to foster excellence within the agency.

As the NEO program concludes its successful pilot batch, DA-PCC looks forward to the continued development and growth of its employees.

Dr. Edwin “Ace” Atabay, Scientist II of DA-PCC, made it to the list of the most outstanding scientists and researchers in the 2023 edition of the Asian Scientist Magazine.

According to the Singaporean-based magazine, the award celebrates the success of the region’s best and brightest, highlighting their achievements across a range of scientific disciplines. The standard for the award is that the honoree must have won a national or international prize for his or her research in the previous year. In addition, he or she must have demonstrated leadership in academia or industry or made a notable scientific discovery.

Dr. Atabay holds the Senior Science Research Specialist position at the Reproduction and Physiology Section of the Research Development Division. He is also the National Technical Coordinator on Reproduction, the Program Coordinator for DA-PCC’s Artificial Insemination and Bull Entrustment Programs, and a technical expert for the Department of Agriculture’s Unified National Artificial Insemination Program. He is also a Career Scientist II under the DOST’s Scientific Career System (SCS).

His fields of specialization are veterinary medicine and animal reproductive biotechnology. His research interests also include reproductive biotechnology (in vitro embryo production, cryopreservation of semen, embryos, oocytes, and somatic cells, artificial insemination, pregnancy diagnosis, cloning, and embryo transfer).

He is actively involved in S&T activities that result in the development of technology and innovations for increasing water buffalo and other ruminant species’ pregnancy and productivity.

Dr. Atabay is considered the driving force behind the creation and implementation of the Intensified Reproductive Management Program, which encourages technological improvements in reproduction to boost livestock reproductive efficiency.

Dr. Atabay earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Medicine at Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan and his Masters in Animal Science at the Central Luzon State University.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at University of the Philippines Los Baños (DA-PCC at UPLB), in partnership with Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) Farm School and the Agriculture Training Institute (ATI)-CALABARZON, conducted a training seminar on dairy buffalo production and management on June 8-9, 2023 in Bacoor, Cavite and Los Baños, Laguna.

The training aims to introduce proper carabao management and production practices that result in a myriad of livelihood opportunities that local farmers and communities can benefit from.

“I’m glad that the farmers are participating in seminars such as this as it will broaden their knowledge on carabao dairy farming and farm sustainability. In this way, it will help boost our local industry sector,” said Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson of the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform.

“We should be willing and open to learn”, said Zadieshar Sanchez, Chief of the Planning and Information Management Division (PIMD) of DA-PCC.

He encouraged the participants to learn from the basics of dairy buffalo management and dedicate themselves to the development of the local carabao dairy industry.

On the other hand, Dr. Eric Palacpac, Chief of the Knowledge Management Division (KMD) of DA-PCC shared DA-PCC’s KM initiatives such as its extension and advisory services so that more farmers can readily and easily access DA-PCC’s development programs.

Dr. Rolando Maningas, Center Director of ATI-CALABARZON, expressed their objective to capacitate local farmers in partnership with DA-PCC and the institute’s gratitude for the participants’ support to this joint undertaking.

The participants are expected to learn about the carabao industry, be more knowledgeable on the care, management and practices in dairy buffalo production such as in nutrition management (forage and pasture production and establishment, feeding and feeding requirements), and animal health management (estrous cycle, heat detection, and breeding practices).

Participating in the two-day training are 25 carabao farmers from the region. The said training was initiated by the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform headed by Sen. Villar.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at UPLB, (DA-PCC at UPLB), in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region V (DSWD V), held a social preparation and basic dairy buffalo training under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Zero Hunger project on May 24-25, 2023 in Municipal Hall, Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon.

The EPAHP Zero Hunger program is a convergence project of government agencies with the goals of alleviating hunger, ensuring food and nutrition security, reducing poverty in urban and rural communities (including marginalized communities), enhancing social capital, and optimizing the economic resource base. In accordance with the project, the DA-PCC at UPLB will conduct and facilitate training on capacity building for the identified beneficiaries.

Prior to the training, DA-PCC at UPLB conducted a Social Preparation Training, also known as SPT (Pagsasanay sa Pagtanggap ng Programa ng Gatasang Kalabaw), in which they discussed ensuring that beneficiaries understand the DA-PCC programs and carabao-based enterprise, and preparing them for the beginning of the dairy buffalo management, production, and enterprise.

The participants in the basic dairy buffalo training are expected to learn about proper housing and management, nutrition management (forage production and establishment), and animal health management (estrous cycle, heat detection, and breeding).

Participating in the two-day training were the 25 identified beneficiaries of the EPAHP Zero Hunger convergence project of the DA-PCC at UPLB and DSWD V.

The DA-PCC at UPLB Training team consists of Center Director Dr. Thelma Saludes, CBED Coordinator Engineer Jose Canaria, Farm Superintendent II Dr. Jessica Ortiz, Regional Knowledge Manager Marinella Ledesma, and Richard Nepomuceno.

The Philippine Carabao Center at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (DA-PCC at UPLB), in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute CALABARZON (ATI CALABARZON) launched today the School-on-the-Air (SOA) program dubbed “CaraWOW! Radyo Eskwela sa Gatasang Kalabaw”at Calungsod Integrated Farm, Tiaong, Quezon.

This first livestock SOA in the region, which will start its airing on June 27, aims to deliver information through radio about dairy buffalo production with the latest technologies and business enterprise opportunities from buffaloes through a series of radio programs.

The farmers are expected to learn buffalo management (housing and management practices), nutrition management (forage production and establishment, feeding and feed resources), health management and breeding (estrus cycle, heat detection, common diseases), milking (milking preparations, procedures, CMT), milk handling (storage, disinfection of equipment, milk quality testing), and carabao-based business enterprise.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, sent her virtual greeting and expressed her support for the program.

“The SOA program will disseminate information on dairy buffaloes and will serve as another venue to address the issues of malnutrition and for the local dairy industry to prosper,” Sen. Villar said.

On the other hand, the provincial veterinary offices from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon expressed their gratitude and support to ATI CALABAZON and DA-PCC for initiating the program. They said that it will allow local farmers to learn, share their knowledge and experiences, and contribute to strengthening the dairy industry in the country.

“At last, Region 4A has this opportunity. This is crucial for farmers’ information and technology exchange . I hope that through the support of ATI and LGUs, the implementation of this program will be successful”, said Dr. Eric Palacpac, chief of DA-PCC’s Knowledge Management Division (KMD).

Meanwhile, Dr. Thelma Saludes, Center Director of PCC at UPLB, encouraged farmer students to show commitment in hopes that this training will aid in increasing the supply of milk in the region.

The launch was attended by local farmer representatives and local government units from CALABARZON.