Author: Reinaly DV. Garcia

The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), through OIC-Executive Director Dr. Ronnie D. Domingo, participated in the virtual ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Pilot Gatasang Kalabaw Convergence Project facilitated and hosted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Sustainable Livelihood Program-National Program Management Office (DSWD SLP-NPMO on September 28.

The EPAHP Pilot Gatasang Kalabaw Convergence Project is under the Zero Hunger Program headed by IATF-Zero Hunger Program Chair and Cabinet Secretary Hon. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) thru Sec. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista; Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), thru Sec. Ramon M. Lopez; and Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), thru Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III also signed the MOA as project partners.

The project aims to establish viable enterprises along the buffalo value chain as source of additional income for farmers and members of community-based organizations. It also aims to increase the volume of locally produced milk that can be supplied to the National Feeding Program in proposed pilot areas in Regions I, VI, and IX. Ultimately, the project is seen to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Zero Hunger Program and EPAHP Program through the convergence of government services in partnership with private sector partners and provision of immediate social preparation and intervention.

DA-PCC, through this project, is expected to: (1) identify priority areas and participants for cooperation along the value chain for carabao and Carabao-Based Enterprises (CBEs) in coordination with partners; (2) facilitate the acquisition of quality dairy buffalos for the project as counterpart support to the DSWD’s SLP; and (3) offer appropriate technical and support services such as, but not limited to production support services, market development services, and extension support and training services.

Also part of the virtual MOA signing were DSWD Undersecretary for Operations Atty. Aimee S. Torrefranca-Neri and DSWD Assistant Secretary for Specialized Programs Asec. Rhea B. Peñaflor.

Messages of support from Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Department of Agriculture Secretary Dr. William D. Dar were also warmly received by the participating agencies during the ceremonies.

The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, represented by Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Nestor Batalla and Prov. Engineer Nilo Buenconsejo, visited the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) National Headquarters and Gene Pool on September 23 to see the agency’s animal housing facilities, milking parlor, and practices, which can be adopted at the Laoac-Provincial Dairy Farm (LPDF) of Pangasinan.

The team of Mr. Batalla was accompanied by DA-PCC at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DA-PCC at DMMMSU) Center Director Vilma Gagni, who covers the Carabao Development Program operations in Pangasinan. 

The visit of Mr. Batalla was based on earlier plans with the DA-PCC’s Reproduction and Physiology Section (RPS), led by Dr. Danilda Hufana-Duran, to  establish the livestock biotechnology program of Pangasinan. Since the buffaloes at LPDF are crossbreds, the bloodline of these animals needs to be upgraded to produce higher volume of milk and support the province-wide milk feeding program.

Using reproductive biotechnologies, Dr. Edwin Atabay of RPS in partnership with DA-PCC at DMMMSU carried out the Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination using semen of selected river buffalo bulls last September 8-19 to produce 75% generations of crossbreds. With the expected calving of the pregnant animals, construction of the milking parlor is needed, hence the visit.

DA-PCC OIC Executive Director Dr. Ronnie D. Domingo welcomed the team and accompanied them to the milking parlor at the DA-PCC National Gene Pool; Central Dairy Collection and Processing Facility; Milka Krem where dairy products are marketed; and the ACDI Farm in Lomboy, San Jose City.  

The LPDF started their operation in February with 93 head of crossbred buffaloes. As these animals are crossbreds, facilitation of the production of purebred animals using advanced reproductive biotechnologies was proposed. Dr. Domingo instructed Dr. Hufana-Duran to craft the project proposal for funding by the Department of Agriculture.

Five DA-PCC researchers took oath either as newly conferred or upgraded scientists, under the Scientific Career System (SCS) by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in a virtual ceremony held on September 22.

DA-PCC’s National Genetic Improvement Program (GIP) Coordinator Dr. Ester Flores and Senior Science Research Specialist Dr. Lerma Ocampo have been conferred the rank of Scientist I under the Agricultural Sciences Division effective December 3, 2020 and May 21, 2021, respectively, joining the agency’s growing pool of career scientists. 

DA-PCC’s scientist couple Dr. Edwin and Eufrocina Atabay were conferred Scientist II rank effective May 21 while Deputy Executive Director for Production and Research Dr. Claro Mingala was upgraded to career Scientist IV effective January 26.

Their significant contributions and noteworthy accomplishments in the agricultural science made them qualified and eligible to the career scientist rank, granted by the Scientific Career Council (SCC), which is the governing body of the SCS. 

The SCS is “a system of recruitment, career progression, recognition and reward of scientists in the government service as a means of developing a pool of highly qualified and productive scientific personnel”. Its program is being administered by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).

Department of Agriculture Secretary Dr. William Dar led the unveiling of the facility marker of the National Livestock Cryobank (NLC), which serves as a national repository of germplasm and biological samples from diverse livestock species, on September 3.

The NLC, situated at the Livestock Innovations and Biotechnology Complex of the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, will aid in the advancement of research for development (R4D) works on ex-situ cryoconservation for animal genetic resources (AnGR) from diverse livestock species towards conservation, management, and utilization, leading to sustainable animal production systems.

These endeavours are seen to sustain the genetic diversity of livestock species in the country and to provide a source of genetics to be used by farmers, livestock breeders, and other interested clients.

Secretary Dar, during the inauguration program, tried depositing frozen buffalo semen in the cryotank as part of a demonstration that the AnGR can be stored in an extremely cold temperature and can stay viable until future utilization. The NLC has a total of six cryotanks that store AnGR in liquid nitrogen.

The construction of this facility was made possible through the technical assistance and generous support of DA-PCC’s international partners, which include the United States of America through the PL480 project and the Republic of South Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Following the inauguration activity was the signing of administrative order and memorandum circular to formally declare DA-PCC’s cryobank facility as the National Livestock Cryobank towards conservation and management program.

The agriculture chief was also briefed on the agency’s technologies and research initiatives, in which he urged researchers and technology developers to not only focus on publication but also dwell more on the application and impact of such technologies for the benefit of rural farming families.

Apart from the inauguration activity, Secretary Dar, also presided the 22nd Advisory Board Meeting composed of the following: DA-PCC’s top management, DA-PCC former executive director, DA Undersecretary for Livestock, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) Executive Director, Bureau of Animal Industry Director, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños (UPLB) and presidents of Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Central Mindanao University (CMU), Cagayan State University (CSU), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Visayas State University (VSU), West Visayas State University (WVSU), University of Southern Mindanao (USM), and farmers’ representatives. The 23rd AdBoard meeting will be held in December.

He also led the opening of the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita farmers’ exhibit at the DA-PCC grounds. (With reports from Lilian Villamor)

Novo Ecijanos can now easily access and buy fresh, affordable, and quality agri-fishery products through the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita farmers exhibit currently set up at the DA-Philippine Carabao Center grounds. 

The Kadiwa (Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa) ni Ani at Kita program at DA-PCC was put up at the Milka Krem compound in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija on September 3 in support of the DA’s twin objectives of “masaganang ani (bountiful harvest)” and “mataas na kita (higher income)” for farmers and fisherfolk.

Said program, launched in September 2019 and rolled out across the country, serves as a direct marketing link between farmers and fisherfolk and consumers. This initiative makes farm produce accessible and affordable to consumers.

Leading the opening of the Kadiwa stores at DA-PCC were Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel Reyes, Assistant Secretary-designate for Regulations Dr. Liza Battad, DA-PCC’s OIC Executive Director Dr. Ronnie Domingo, Deputy Executive Director for Administration and Finance Dr. Caro Salces, and Deputy Executive Director for Production and Research Dr. Claro Mingala.

A total of 10 booths were set up, eight of which were manned by DA-PCC’s assisted cooperatives in Nueva Ecija including Eastern Primary Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC), Simula ng Panibagong Bukas MPC, Brotherskeeper MPC, all in San Jose City; Catalanacan MPC, Licaong Agriculture Cooperative, Aling Maria Homemade sweets in Science City of Muñoz; Caudillo Prutas at Gulay Producers Cooperative in Cabanatuan City; and Bongabon Dairy Cooperative in Bongabon.  

Sec. Dar visited each booth and took cognizance of the farmers’ plight amid the pandemic. He encouraged them to carry on and assured them of government’s initiatives, one of which is the Kadiwa, to help them sell their commodities directly to buyers.

“This Kadiwa is a good opportunity for farmers and co-op members to bring their agri-fishery products to communities. Some of our products like corn, sweet potato, and eggplant are outcomes of the Gatas, Gulay, Karne (GGK) project of DA-PCC. Consumers may opt to buy such products here instead of going and queuing to the market,” Samuel Mercader, EPMPC member and one of the sellers, said.

Kadiwa stalls are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Friday. Among the products on sale include carabao’s milk-based and Kardeli carabao meat products, native delicacies, squash, string beans, sweet corn, calamansi, cucumber, tomatoes, papaya, sweet potato, native chicken, oyster mushroom, eggplant, okra, and other assorted lowland vegetables and fruits. (Photo by Chrissalyn Marcelo)

The Department of Agriculture is set to declare the DA-Philippine Carabao Center’s (DA-PCC) cryobank facility in the Science City of Muñoz as the National Livestock Cryobank (NLC) to strengthen livestock biotechnology innovations and cryopreservation capacities of the agency through an inauguration program scheduled on September 3.

Additionally, the NLC will aid in the advancement of research for development (R4D) works on ex-situ cryoconservation for animal genetic resources from diverse livestock species towards conservation, management, and utilization, leading to a sustainable animal production system.

The NLC serves as the national repository for germplasm and biological samples from diverse livestock species. This will support the conservation and management of animal genetic resources that is seen to sustain the genetic diversity of livestock species in the country and will be the source of genetics to be used by farmers, livestock breeders, and other interested clients.

With this, DA-PCC OIC Executive Director Dr. Ronnie Domingo encourages more farmer clients and private sectors to avail of this service as the agency prioritizes the banking of animal genetic resources (AnGR) and biological samples.

DA Secretary Dr. William Dar and Undersecretary for Livestock Dr. William Medrano are expected to grace the inauguration ceremonies.

The implementation of the Accelerating Livelihood and Assets Buildup (ALAB)– Karbawan projects has become a harbinger of hope not only in providing business opportunities to carapreneurs but also in boosting the local dairy industry.

This has been corroborated by the recent accomplishments of the ALAB-Karbawan development project across the country, which is currently being spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC).

ALAB-Karbawan is an umbrella program initiative and popularized name for two province-wide Carabao-based Enterprise Development implementation projects namely Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) and Coconut-Carabao Development Project (CCDP), both initiated and funded by the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform Chairperson Senator Cynthia Villar.

Sen. Villar has long been a strong advocate for spurring the local dairy industry, thus, she promotes dairy enterprise as another income-generating venture for smallholder farmers.

ALAB-Karbawan also supports the main goal of the government to increase the country’s milk production and create livelihood opportunities, hence Sen. Villar allotted a total budget of PHP545 million for the implementation of CBIN (PHP295M for FY2019 and FY2020; on process budget of PHP110M for FY2021) and CCDP (PHP140M).

The CBIN and CCDP are expected to start up or improve dairy development in the identified provinces through entrustment of dairy buffaloes, engagement of processing plants and outlets to pursue carabao-based business ventures, and provision of capability-building and technical support services.

The project sites include Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bataan, Oriental Mindoro, Quezon Province, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Palawan, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Antique, Aklan, Leyte, Biliran, Northern Samar, Samar, Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Oriental, Davao Del Sur, Davao De Oro, Davao Oriental, South Cotabato, and North Cotabato.

CBIN

The CBIN project, launched in October 2019, aims to establish a robust carabao-based enterprise in recipient provinces, thereby creating livelihood for farmers.

The project is being implemented in 28 project sites covering 26 provinces nationwide. As of August 13, 2021, it has entrusted a total of 937 female crossbred buffaloes to farmer recipients in different provinces. Likewise, DA-PCC has entrusted a total of 151 buffaloes, including bulls, to further intensify herd build-up in the provinces.

More than 700 farmers and LGU partners were capacitated through a series of learning events, which included Farmer Livestock School on Dairy Buffalo Production (FLS-DBP) and trainings on social preparation, organization, and management. Also, the project sites in Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bataan, Albay, Palawan, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao Oriental and North Cotabato have already established their respective processing facilities and dairy market outlets.

Cooperative-partners were, likewise, engaged to supply milk and milk products in support of RA 11037 or Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, wherein one of the components is the Milk Feeding Program. In 2020, more than 100,000 children benefited from the locally sourced milk produced by the said cooperatives. It is estimated that by 2021, participating cooperatives nationwide will earn more than PHP50 million through the Milk Feeding Program.

CCDP

As for the CCDP, which was launched in October 2020, the DA-PCC and DA-Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA) have collaborated to develop the dairy carabao value chain in a coconut farming system.

Coconut farmers through sustainable carabao-based livelihoods are expected to earn additional income and venture into new business opportunities.

As of December 31, 2020, the project’s budget amounting to PHP37,305,000 has been downloaded to identified DA-PCC regional centers where preparatory activities have been conducted to mobilize provincial partners. Currently, a total of 89 dairy buffaloes have also been entrusted in three recipient provinces.

The project also aims to ensure the availability of locally produced milk in support of RA 11037 to help address the problem of undernutrition among school children.

Moreover, the DA-PCA will download the Year 2 budget amounting to PHP102,695,000 once the budget for the 1^st year has been obligated. Included in this budget are the construction of dairy processing and marketing infrastructure and start-up dairy equipment. The DA-PCC will implement initiatives with the assistance of DA-PCA in the entrustment of dairy carabaos, provision of processing and marketing equipment and facilities, capability-building activities, and technical support services. The project will be implemented in 17 project sites in 14 provinces. (With reports from Chamanei C. Elias)

The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center at Central Mindanao University (DA-PCC at CMU) extended supplementary support to the Feeding Program under the “Walang Iwanan” project of Gawad Kalinga (GK) Bukidnon Chapter launched last July 1.

Said program with the theme, “Hunger ends where caring begins” was spearheaded by GK Bukidnon Chapter and Bukidnon Tagoloan Mulahaya Ha Kabukalagan Agriculture Cooperative (BUKTAMACO) in partnership with DA-PCC at CMU.

As a supplementary component in the feeding program, the DA-PCC at CMU will provide 2,900 sachets of 200 ml pasteurized carabao’s milk every day for 40 feeding days to beneficiaries in the vulnerable sector, which include children, pregnant, and senior citizens from select barangays in Bukidnon identified by GK.

DA-PCC at CMU Center Director Dr. Lowell Paraguas said helping each other overcome this pandemic with various means will go a long way.

“We advocate the bayanihan spirit, walang iwanan, serbisyo muna bago benepisyo para sa Diyos at bayan,” Dr. Paraguas added.

“Walang iwanan (leave no one behind) is our commitment to the poor. It is a testament of patriotism fueled by faith. Insha’allah (God willing), together, we can end this poverty,” GK Executive Director Dan Bercasio said.

Moreover, GK Chairman Luis Oquiňena shared that GK is building a nation empowered by people with faith and patriotism; a nation made up of caring and sharing communities, dedicated to eradicate poverty and restore human dignity.

“We aim to engage at least 20,000 barangays through our platforms of solidarity, resulting in millions of lives transformed and their stories told. We are called to be heroes for the poorest. You are a part of that growing army,” Oquiňena added.

Harvey Maraguinot, head of GK in Mindanao, said the kindness of DA-PCC boosts their morale to continue helping those less fortunate despite the risk of being exposed to the virus.

“We commend and appreciate DA-PCC’s contribution to this cause. It only shows how much our efforts are valued and we feel even more inspired to continue our advocacy to achieve zero hunger nation,” Maraguinot concluded.

Another “Dairy Box” outlet and processing facility was formally opened and turned over today by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center at University of Southern Mindanao (DA-PCC at USM) to farmers’ cooperative Sta. Catalina Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SCMPC) in Barangay Labuo, President Roxas, Cotabato City.

The facility was established as part of the Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) project or popularly known as the “Accelerating Livelihood and Assets Buildup (ALAB)-Karbawan” implemented by DA-PCC and funded by the Office of Senator Cynthia Villar.

 
This facility, which is a component of a Php10 million-project, aims to serve as a dairy hub where farmers can sell and market their nutritious and healthy carabao’s milk products.

Leading the turnover ceremony were key officials of the DA, local government, and SCMPC. Center director Benjamin John Basilio, community development specialist Paul Andrew Texon, Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Congressman Jose Tejada, Municipal Mayor Jonathan Mahimpit, Officer-in-charge Municipal Agriculturist Romel Jaculba, SCMPC Vice chairperson Danilo Baliguat and SCMPC General Manager Ma. Fe Pineda graced the ceremonies. DA-RFO XII Technical Director for Operations Zaldy Boloron, Second District Board Member Philbert Malaluan and Arthur Jared Go from the office of Senator Villar also graced the event to represent DA-RFO XII Director Arlan Mangelen, North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco, and Senator Cynthia Villar, respectively.

Other Dairy Box and processing facilities established by the DA-PCC under its ALAB-Karbawan project can be located in the provinces of Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bataan, Albay, Palawan, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga Del Sur, and Zamboanga Del Norte.