Author: Maximo Peralta Jr.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Sustainable Livelihood Program and the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center implemented the Gatasang Kalabaw Kontra Kagutuman at Kahirapan (GK3K) project after its successful launch in Balungao, Pangasinan.
This initiative aims to collaborate with local government units to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the 4Ps beneficiaries and to promote the sustainable growth of the livestock industry in Pangasinan.

The LGU-Natividad, through Mayor Rosita Rafaels’ leadership, sees the project as promising economic empowerment for marginalized communities and is committed to supporting the implementation of GK3K in the municipality.

The commitment to this initiative further strengthens the placement of the carabao industry in the region, helping to increase appreciation of what the industry can offer and make communities realize the need to patronize local produce.

Tatiana Sabalboro, Project Development Officer II of DSWD in Pangasinan, shared their agency chose to champion carabaos for their sustainable project as they have seen the industry’s increased demand for carabao’s milk. Furthermore, carabao milk is more nutritious than other ruminants’ milk.

DA-PCC at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University has recently conducted its training on dairy buffalo production and management for the beneficiaries in Natividad, where they were equipped with knowledge and skills in carabao raising.

Sabalboro also mentioned that their team created two associations: the Isem Sikap Canarem SLPA and Batchelor West Natividad Dairy SLPA, with 25 and 35 members, respectively. The beneficiaries will be granted nine carabaos through their awarded fund amounting to PHP825,000.
Center Director Vilma Gagni committed to entrusting 10 dairy buffaloes in support of the project, aside from the technical aspects the center will provide.

For the project’s success, convergence, collaboration, and complementation are essential among the stakeholders involved.

“The integration of partnership, collaboration, convergence, and complementation of funds in a project enhances resource availability, fosters innovation, mitigates risks, accelerates progress, improves quality, and broadens impact. This synergistic effort leads to more successful and sustainable project outcomes, demonstrating the value of coordinated and diversified efforts,” Gagni said.

Aside from the commitment of two local government units from Pangasinan’s 6th district, partner agencies expect Sta. Maria, Umingan, and other municipalities to follow suit, creating a ripple effect of growth in the production of carabaos and the development of sustainable income streams.

The DA-Philippine Carabo Center through the Research and Development Division (RDD) proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the SOCCSKSARGEN Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SOXAARRDEC) to establish a partnership focused on the development of the cara-industry in the region held last June 6 at USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.

The proposed MOU, initiated by Dr. Eric P. Palacpac, OIC Chief of DA-PCC RDD, seeks to establish a collaborative framework between the DA-PCC at USM and the SOXAARRDEC to strengthen research and development efforts in agriculture, aquatic and natural resources, with a specific focus on carabao-based innovations and sustainable livestock production practices. Dr. Palacpac also charted the various disciplinary areas of RDD to see where DA-PCC and SOXAARRDEC could collaborate.

During the MOU presentation, Dr. Josephine R. Migalbin, consortium director, along with representatives from the University of Southern Mindanao Research, Development, and Extension, highlighted the challenges of technology transfer. They focused on understanding the generated technology, identifying which technologies to feature, and determining the best modalities for carabao.

Dr. Geoffray R. Atok, director of DA-PCC at USM, emphasized the need for strong policy advocacy to accelerate technology implementation. He noted that dairy buffalo raisers have an advantage over regular farmers because carabao milk commands a premium price.

As DA-PCC at USM is a member of the consortium, this agreement will enhance technical cooperation and knowledge exchange among consortium institutions.

The Sarangani provincial government expressed confidence in attaining a milk-sufficient province as it will seize opportunities in the livestock industry with the synergetic partnership among the private sector and government agencies in mainstreaming livestock services through the creation of the Sarangani Dairy Industry Council.

After a series of discussions, planning, and assessments since 2023, the province has committed to enhancing collaborative efforts through the institutionalization of the council on June 7, 2024. This council bridges the partnership between dairy farmer groups and various government agencies, including the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP), Department of Agriculture XII (DA-XII), DA-National Dairy Authority (DA-NDA) – Southern Mindanao, DA-Agricultural Training Institute XII (DA-ATI-XII), DA-Philippine Carabao Center at USM (DA-PCC at USM), Department of Science and Technology XII (DOST XII), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI XII).

Aside from launching the council, the provincial government also crafted a memorandum of agreement for inter-agency convergence to institutionalize support for the implementation of the provincial commodity investment plan, formulated a three-year plan, and recommended policies about the livestock industry to underscore constraints such as accelerating herd buildup for milk production, increasing productivity and profitability of dairy-based enterprises to ensure increased income of farmers, and ensuring availability of safe and quality milk products from genetically improved cow, goat, and carabao.

During the council’s launch, DA-PCC at USM outlined programs, plans, and activities aimed at boosting the livestock industry in Sarangani. The focus was on technology transfer, research and development, and community engagement, all contributing to the long-term growth of carapreneurship in the province.

Moreover, Melecio Obungen, Chairperson of Pangi Multi-Purpose Cooperative (a DA-PCC at USM conduit cooperative), shared insights into buffalo dairying and its pivotal role in the community’s school-based feeding program. By integrating dairy farming into this initiative,
PAMULCO not only enhances local agricultural practices but also contributes to the nutrition and well-being of schoolchildren.

The initiative has received positive feedback from dairy farmers, who see it as a step towards prioritizing their dairy endeavors in the province.

“With the establishment of this council, we can strengthen the support of NGAs focusing on livestock commodities. As dairy goat raisers, we are expecting that this council will be responsive in implementing development plans and policies that have a far-reaching impact in our locality,” said General Manager Rodolfo Dela Torre Jr of Sta. Cruz Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Maasim, Sarangani and recently elected chairperson of Sarangani Dairy Industry Council.

“Through concerted efforts and cooperation between various stakeholders, we are going to unlock the full potential of our dairy and meat industries. By capitalizing on the strengths of both the private and public sectors, we hope to not only meet its province’s milk demand but also to alleviate poverty and malnutrition in the province,” said DA-PCC at USM Center Director Geoffray R. Atok.

The province of Ilocos is set to experience a significant increase in genetically improved calves and fresh buffalo milk production, following the turnover of 100 crossbred female buffaloes to the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives (NSCC) under a Buffalo Agistment Service Agreement. The initial turnover was held, today, June 5, at the NSCC Farmville in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur.

The entrustment is a key component of the Dairy Herd Buildup Project (DHBP), funded by the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, chaired by Hon. Cynthia A. Villar. The project aims to boost local dairy stocks and milk production by establishing dairy buffalo agistment farms and evaluating their sustainability as a strategy for dairy herd buildup across the Philippines.

Under the Buffalo Agistment Service Agreement, NSCC will rear 100 female buffaloes for one year. Once the buffaloes’ pregnancies are confirmed, they will be entrusted to eligible cooperatives or associations to enhance milk and meat production capacities. This initiative aims to boost calf and milk yields, fostering a robust and sustainable dairy industry. Ultimately, this project is expected to significantly contribute to the province’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in milk production.

NSCC has been a leading implementer of DA-PCC programs, consistently expanding its buffalo herd since 2019 and playing a vital role in supplying milk to various Department of Education’s (DepEd) Schools Division Offices through school-based feeding programs.

Ilocos Sur Governor Jeremias Singson highlighted the provincial government’s unwavering commitment to improving the agricultural sector, emphasizing steadfast support for farmer-benefiting programs. He lauded the turnover as a concrete manifestation of this support and expressed eagerness to utilize similar programs offered by DA-PCC for the province. Singson thanked DA-PCC for spearheading the project and challenged the community to uphold organic farming principles, promote environmental sustainability, and enhance community well-being.

NSCC Chief Executive Officer of NSCC Dr. Divina C. Quemi expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in NSCC and expressed hopes that the buffaloes would significantly boost milk production to meet the DepEd’s feeding program requirements. She also emphasized the project’s potential to enhance the economic well-being of local dairy farmers, advocating for continued collaboration between DA-PCC, NSCC, and the provincial government.

DA Undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor Savellano also delivered a video message extending his support to the DHBP and highlighting the collective efforts of the department to enhance agricultural productivity, promote sustainable livelihoods and foster economic growth of the community. He said that the project not only brings transformative changes but new opportunities for income and development. He encouraged the NSCC to continue its collaboration with various agencies and stakeholders as it strives to strengthen its role in enhancing the nutrition of schoolchildren and vulnerable families.

Also pesent during the ceremony were DA-PCC Deputy Executive Director Dr. Caro B. Salces and DA-PCC at Mariano Marcos State University OIC Center Director Joel F. Cabading.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Cagayan State University (DA-PCC at CSU) recognized 12 participants in the basic training course on artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis in large ruminants during the graduation ceremony held yesterday at the DA-PCC at CSU National Swamp Buffalo Gene Pool and Dairy Buffalo Farm in Baung, Piat, Cagayan.

The training aligns with the DA-PCC’s noble mission on the Carabao Upgrading Program through Artificial Insemination (AI) and Bull Entrustment, a banner project for the genetic improvement (GIP) of buffaloes. It is also a training course for Village Based AI Technicians (VBAIT) and Local Government Unit (LGU) Technicians aimed at developing and equipping partners to implement AI activities in the communities.

Dr. Rovina Piñera, DA-PCC at CSU OIC-Center Director, expressed her optimism about the training program’s impact. She believes that training additional technicians will not only increase buffalo production but also continuously reskill new technicians, fostering a cycle of growth and improvement in the region.

In an interview with Giovanni Dulnuan, the training program’s valedictorian, he said that his knowledge and skills enabled him to provide adequate services to farmers’ livestock.

Benedicto D. Blanza, one of the training’s resource speakers, asked the participants to transfer the technology they learned to their respective communities. The participants responded positively by providing more concepts and ideas on what they learned from the training.

Eleven new artificial insemination (AI) technicians from three regions in Mindanao pledged their support in strengthening the genetic improvement of cows and carabaos after they officially completed the month-long basic training course on AI and pregnancy diagnosis in large ruminants held at the DA-Philippine Carabao Center at USM in Kabacan, Cotabato.

With the support and funding from the DA-National Dairy Authority-Southern Mindanao, the said training, held from May 6 to June 4, aimed to equip partner agencies with comprehensive technical expertise and practical skills essential for AI and PD services for large ruminants.

The participants coming from Region XI, Region XII, and BARMM undergo different sets of lectures and activities focusing on understanding the anatomy and physiology of female reproductive systems of large ruminants, animal nutrition, good husbandry practices, heat detection, semen quality assessment, recent advances in animal breeding, recto-vaginal method for artificial insemination, and the significance of artificial insemination for farmer-clients.

“After this training, you will be well-prepared as effective AI technicians in the field. Always remember that with AI, we can optimize breeding cycles and ultimately boost milk production, leading to the satisfaction of our clients, the Filipino farmers,” DA-PCC at USM Center Director Geoffray R. Atok said.

Moreover, DA-NDA Southern Mindanao Department Chair Marlon C. Flores, represented by AI coordinator Greg Lapura, highlighted the engagement of new AI technicians in the Unified National Artificial Insemination Program (UNAIP) for large ruminants, which provides strategic direction in the current AI delivery system efforts of the Department of Agriculture as they will be part of undertakings of the national livestock agencies (NLAs), namely the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), NDA, PCC, and DA Regional Field Offices (DA-RFO), as collaborators in carrying out efficient and effective livestock breeding programs using AI technology.

As AI serves as one of the banner programs of the agency, the DA-PCC at USM continues to expand its engagement with different agencies and local government units to produce animals with better productivity for milk and meat.

Indian embassy chargé d’affaires Dr. Sadre Alam recently visited the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool in an effort to explore mutually beneficial collaborations aimed at strengthening India-Philippines relations.

During the visit, Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development Dr. Claro N. Mingala and OIC-Chief Knowledge Management Division Rowena S. Galang briefed Dr. Alam on DA-PCC’s programs, services, and mandate. They highlighted the nationwide milk feeding efforts, which benefit a significant number of children and carapreneurs, and provided an overview of key initiatives such as the Carabao-based Enterprise Development Program (CBED) and the Coconut-Carabao Development Project, the latter funded by Senator Cynthia Villar.

Dr. Alam’s visit also included a stop at the National Livestock Cryobank, where he was warmly welcomed by Dr. Liza Battad, Executive Director of DA-PCC. Dr. Battad and Aivhie Jhoy Cuanang, Science Research Specialist I, showcased the research facilities and discussed the cryobank’s role in conserving diverse animal genetic resources, emphasizing DA-PCC’s commitment to livestock preservation and enhancement.

The itinerary also featured a quick tour of the gene pool and a visit to Milka Krem, the DA-PCC’s dairy products outlet. Dr. Alam and his family purchased various DA-PCC products, with the ambassador noting his family’s appreciation for the items and mentioning that drinking milk is a popular tradition in India.

Expressing keen interest in future collaborations, Dr. Alam offered both technical and financial assistance to support DA-PCC’s initiatives marking a positive step towards enhancing agricultural and scientific ties between India and the Philippines.

An increase in local dairy stocks and milk production in Western Mindanao regions is anticipated after the turnover ceremony of newly constructed institutional herd facilities for the Dairy Herd Buildup Program (DHBP) on May 24, 2024, at the DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Mindanao Livestock Production Center (DA-PCC at MLPC) in Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte.

The DHBP aims to revolutionize the local dairy industry, ushering in a new era of increased local dairy stocks and milk production. It is funded by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, under the dedicated leadership of Senator Cynthia A. Villar.

“It is by God’s grace that we had a systematic leader, and by God’s grace that He blessed us with the right construction company. This project is an icon of transformation to change the lives of the cooperatives that depend on us,” said Dr. Liza Battad, DA-PCC’s executive director.

The facility, with a total cost of PHP10,530,648.41, is capable of housing 300 crossbred animals. The animals purchased will be raised on the institutional farm. Artificial insemination will be used to produce offspring with a superior genetic makeup. The pregnant and bred animals will then be supplied to carabao raisers, mostly in Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) locations.

Aside from the construction of facilities, the program also involves pasture establishment to ensure a consistent supply of forages and composting for zero waste management.

The event was graced by Dr. Caro B. Salces, DA-PCC’s deputy executive director, Dr. Cecelio G. Velez, DA-PCC at MLPC center director, Raymond Taopa, proprietor of Altapil Construction and Supply, Engr. Rolando Maghanoy, a representative from the local government of Kalawit, DA-PCC staff, conduit cooperatives managers, members, and farmers.

The DA-Philippine Center at University of Southern Mindanao (DA-PCC at USM) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development XII (DSWD-XII) together with other government agencies turned over dairy buffaloes to the Dagupan Sustainable Livelihood Program Association under the Zero Hunger project on May 27 in Dagupan, Kabacan, Cotabato.

Under the banner of “Sulong Kabuhayan tungo sa Pagyabong,” the entrustment of dairy buffaloes is one of the components of the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). This initiative aims to enhance the socio-economic status of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries through capacity building. The goal is to sustain and expand their livelihoods beyond the five-year intervention of this community-based project.

Through the SLP and Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program, DA-PCC at USM Center Director Geoffray R. Atok envisions the positive outcome of this first-ever dairy buffalo project in Kabacan, Cotabato.

“With the support from partner agencies committed to providing capacity-building and agriculture-related livelihood interventions, we are confident that we can improve the socio-economic conditions of this 4Ps-led association,” Director Atok said.

Prior to the entrustment, the Dagupan SLP group underwent a social preparation training that developed their personal and organizational acceptance and sense of co-ownership of the buffalo dairy project.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of Cotabato and the Local Government Unit of Kabacan affirmed their partnership by committing to providing animal health services and undertaking legislative efforts to ensure the success and sustainability of the project, enhancing both individual and collective engagement of Cotabateños.

The entrustment was witnessed by the Dagupan SLP association, representatives from DSWD XII and DA-PCC at USM, Cotabato Board Member Jonathan Tabara, Provincial AdBoard Member Albert Rivera, Kabacan Board Member Myra Dulay-Bade, and Brgy. Dagupan Officials