Month: December 2023

As 2023 nears its end, the Philippine Carabao Center’s dedication to uplifting carabao communities remains unwavering. DA-PCC at CSU hosted a training course on Buffalo Bull Management on December 19-20, 2023 at the National Swamp Buffalo Gene Pool and Dairy Buffalo Farm, Baung, Piat, equipping future recipients of the “Bull Entrustment Program” with essential knowledge and skills.

Hailing from various corners of Cagayan, Isabela, and Apayao, 16 aspiring recipients attended the intensive two-day course. This training serves as a prerequisite for the Bull Entrustment Program, ensuring these individuals are well-prepared to handle and care for purebred buffalo bulls entrusted to them.

The Bull Entrustment Program is a cornerstone initiative of the Philippine Carabao Center. It strategically places purebred buffalo bulls with selected farmers, enabling them to utilize the bulls for natural mating with local carabaos. This program effectively spreads the superior genetic potential of purebred buffaloes, aiming to upgrade the overall quality and productivity of the local carabao population.

While artificial insemination plays a crucial role in genetic improvement, the Bull Entrustment Program offers a complementary approach. It fosters natural mating, leading to increased opportunities for genetic exchange and a broader impact on the local herd. Ultimately, both the Bull Entrustment and Artificial Insemination programs work in tandem, synergistically driving the Carabao Development Program’s objectives.

This two-fold approach aims to upgrade the genetics of native carabaos, increase the dairy crossbred population, and boost production of buffalo-derived products.

By investing in training and farmer empowerment, the PCC is paving the way for a brighter future for buffalo breeding in the Cagayan Valley. This news not only highlights the agency’s commitment to carabao development but also showcases the potential of collaborative efforts between government agencies, universities, and local communities to drive positive change in the agricultural sector.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Cagayan State University (DA-PCC at CSU) has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to excellence and continuous improvement by successfully passing its ISO 9001:2015 Surveillance Audit. This remarkable achievement marks the 12th consecutive year that DA-PCC at CSU has earned this prestigious recognition.

The ISO 9001:2015 certification is an internationally recognized standard that attests to an organization’s commitment to providing high-quality products and services while adhering to stringent quality management principles.

Dr. Rovina R. Piñera, OIC- Center Director of DA-PCC at CSU, expressed her satisfaction: “This achievement is an affirmation of our unwavering commitment to continuously improve the quality of our operations and deliver reliable services to our stakeholders.”

She added, “We are incredibly proud of our team’s commitment and passion; this aligns with our dream to create an organizational structure that engages in a continuous cycle of self-evolution and improvement.”
The success of DA-PCC at CSU in maintaining its commitment to quality management reflects the dedication and diligence of the entire team in achieving operational excellence.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), the Provincial Local Government Unit of Batangas (PLGU-Batangas), and the Rosario Livestock Agriculture and Farming Cooperative (TRLAFCO) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the Provincial Cooperative Livelihood and Enterprise Development Office (PCLEDO) in Batangas City on December 19, 2023.

The signed MOA is a joint partnership of DA-PCC, PLGU-Batangas, and TRLAFCO in attaining sustainable development objectives of inclusive growth and poverty reduction through the implementation of multi-party development convergence projects such as sharing available resources and support, creating collaborative opportunities in the implementation of the province-wide Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN), and providing assistance to all carabao owners by linking and facilitating their inclusion in the carabao-based enterprises (CBE) value chain to boost the local dairy industry.

The Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) is popularized as Accelerating Livelihood and Assets Buildup (ALAB)-Karbawan through the initiative of the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, headed by Senator Cynthia A. Villar.

The MOA was signed by DA-PCC OIC-Executive Director Dr. Caro B. Salces and PLGU-Batangas Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas, represented by Hon. Maria Claudette Ambida-Alday, TRLAFCO Chairperson Mr. Alvin A. Virtucio, witnessed by DA-PCC at UPLB Regional Center Director Dr. Thelma A. Saludes, Provincial Administrator Wilfredo D. Racelis, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Romelito R. Marasigan, and PCLEDO Provincial Cooperative Development Officer Ms. Celia L. Atienza.

The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center at Mariano Marcos State University (DA-PCC at MMSU) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Office I (DSWD ROI) launched today a supplemental milk feeding program worth PHP9,839,400.00.

The feeding program will benefit 3,565 Child Development Center pupils in 13 Local Government Units (LGUs) in the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. The children will be served with 180 ml sterilized milk every day for 120 days.

The covered municipalities in the province of Ilocos Norte are Currimao, Banna, Sarrat, Dumalneg and Adams. In the province of Ilocos Sur, the municipalites are Galimuyod, Banayoyo, Lidlidda, San Emilio, Sta. Catalina, Nagbukel, Burgos, and San Esteban.

The launching was simultaneously conducted in both of the provinces.
The program was implemented in line with RA 11037, otherwise known as the MAsustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino act. It is expected to address malnutrition problems among the beneficiaries, as well as provide them with daily additional nutritious meal.

In September of this year, the funds were turned over to DA-PCC at MMSU at the Operations Center of the DSWD Field Office I by key personnel namely Anniely J. Ferrer, Asst. Regional Director for Operations; Clarivel Banzuela, Chief-Statutory Programs Divisions; Alma Gonzales, SFP Focal Person; and Melecio C. Ubilas, Asst. Regional Director for Administration. It was received by Melinda G. Galacgac and Mari Joan A. Nefulda, DA-PCC at MMSU’s milk feeding focal and Carabao-based Enterprise Development (CBED) coordinator, respectively.

Farmers in Sarangani Province will now have easy access to information about the Carabao Development Program, thanks to the installation of the new CDP KIOSK, or Carabao Development Program – Karunungan, Impormasyon, Oportunidad Sa Kalabawan in Maitum on November 28.

The kiosk, comprising transportable display panels, a table with a brochure holder, a magazine rack, and a display booth, was installed by the DA-Philippine Carabao Center. Camille de Gracia, along with Nasrola S. Ibrahim, Airine Rigon, and Rodolfo T. Valdez Jr., represented the center during the installation.

Mayor Alexander Bryan Reganit of Maitum signed the memorandum of agreement, expressing the municipality’s commitment to supporting the carabao dairy business.

The turnover ceremony, witnessed by the Pangi Multipurpose Cooperative—a cooperative supported by DA-PCC at USM under the CBIN project—highlighted their appreciation for the opportunity to utilize the CDP KIOSK in promoting products and services at various events.

Initiated and facilitated by the Knowledge Management Division-Learning Events Coordination Section, the CDP KIOSK serves as a method to disseminate information about the dairy buffalo production programs, services, and technologies offered by the DA-PCC, along with the agency’s knowledge products.

The persistent challenge in disseminating agricultural technologies lies in their low adoption rate. This challenge is often attributed to ineffective communication between technology providers (scientists and researchers) and end-users (farmers).

To bridge this gap, the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) and the Livestock Research Division of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) have developed a set of learning modules on Dairy Buffalo Production.

These modules, anchored in participatory approaches, contextual knowledge, and adult learning processes, are deemed more suitable for smallholder farmers. This initiative, known as the “Farmers Livestock School on Dairy Buffalo Production” (FLS-DBP), aims to empower farmers with a basket of technology options.

From November 13-24, 2023, 21 participants from the provinces of Tarlac, Cagayan Valley, Isabela, Quirino, Ifugao, and Apayao completed the 2-week Training of Trainers/Facilitators for the FLS-DBP. The training, held at the DA-Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool, equipped the future facilitators with comprehensive knowledge of Dairy Buffalo Production, encompassing topics ranging from Mobilizing Communities for FLS and Raising Healthy and Productive Dairy Buffalo to Participatory Technology Development and Building Enterprises from Buffalo.

The workshop employed unconventional methodologies, emphasizing experimental learning through exercises, games, fieldwork, case analysis, and lecture discussions. This approach aims to enhance the facilitators’ ability to transfer and demonstrate knowledge and technologies in a manner that is easily understandable for farmers, effectively bridging the communication gap between technology providers and the intended users.

These accredited FLS-DBP facilitators are now poised to facilitate 34-week Farmers Livestock Schools on Dairy Buffalo Production in their respective localities. These schools will empower farmers to explore a basket of technology options and learn through experiments and testing, enabling them to identify and adopt the technologies most suited to their local conditions, challenges, resources, and capabilities.

“Why don’t we utilize the best available technology there is in agriculture?”
This riveting question was posed by Mr. Adriel Dave “Farmer AD” Alvarez, a Cebu-based farmer, in his message of support for the 19th National Biotechnology Week (NBW) celebration held on November 20-24, 2023 in Cebu City, Cebu.

Undersecretary Mercedita A. Sombilla’s message marked the beginning of week-long festivities for the 19th NBW. Usec. Sombilla said in her opening remarks, “The DA’s commitment to biotechnology is rooted in our overall vision of a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive agricultural sector that can meet the evolving needs of our nation”.

Together with the Inter-Agency Steering Committee agencies, partners and participants, there was a ceremonial signing of the “Declaration of Support for the Advancement of Biotechnology in the Philippines” wall where they pledged their support.

Following this ceremony is the ribbon cutting of the NBW Exhibit at the Seaview Wing of the SM Seaside Cebu, Cebu City where the DA-Livestock Biotechnology Center (DA-LBC) set up a laboratory for cryopreserved buffalo semen sample viewing for students and booth visitors as one of the main attractions concurrent with the opening of the exhibit.

NBW Snapshot Challenge

The NBW Capture the Moment: Biotech Booth Snapshot challenge ran from November 20-22, 2023, engaging participants from NBW build-up activities of the DA-LBC and exhibit visitors. Four winners were chosen and announced last November 23, 2023.

Biotek Tanong

DA-LBC Booth visitors joined the interactive game titled, “Biotek Tanong” from which they pulled animal biotechnology-related trivia questions from a raffle box, and visitors who answered correctly were given souvenir items.

QuickCArE Test Kit Showcase

The penside diagnostic test kit for the detection of Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis virus of goats developed by the Philippine Carabao Center, was also showcased by technical staff of the DA-LBC in the weeklong exhibit. Actual samples, display and UV box were provided and prepared by Dr. Gabriel Alexis SP. Tubalinal, Head of the Biosafety and Environment Section (BES), Philippine Carabao Center.

7th International Livestock Biotechnology Symposium

A build-up activity of the 19th NBW, the 7th International Livestock Biotechnology Symposium was held last October 18, 2023 in Tagbilaran, Bohol. This activity was attended by over 400 participants from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The DA-LBC also set up a pop-up booth during this activity to further promote NBW activities.

Capacity Building Workshop on Molecular Biology and Modern Biotechnology Tools for Livestock Research and Development

Twenty-one participants from the DA Network were trained at the Philippine Carabao Center laboratories from November 6-10, 2023. A series of lectures followed by hands-on application of basic and advanced molecular biology techniques were guided by technical staff of the DA-LBC. This activity is also one of the build-up activities of the DA-LBC for the NBW.
Weeklong activities organized by the DA-Livestock Biotechnology Center together with the DA Biotechnology Program Office and its partner biotechnology agencies, Fisheries Biotechnology Center and the Crop Biotechnology Center align with the overarching theme of the 19th National Biotechnology Week (NBW) celebration, “Empowering Innovation for a Sustainable Future with Biotechnology”.

Marking the close of the week-long activities, the chairmanship of the 20th National Biotechnology Week was given to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through a ceremonial passing of the NBW flag earlier today, November 24, 2023.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (DA-PCC at UPLB), in collaboration with UPLB-College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS), Institute of Animal Science (IAS), and Dairy Training and Research Institute (DTRI), officially launched the 3rd Ruminant Forum with the theme, “Dagdag 3K (Kaalaman, Kasanay, at Kita): Tungo sa Maunlad na Industriya ng Kalabaw, Baka, at Kambing” on November 7-9, 2023, at the Animal Science Lecture Hall 2, Animal Science Complex, UPLB.

This forum served as a platform for addressing challenges and capitalizing on opportunities within the livestock industry. The event provided professionals, producers, researchers, and farmers with the chance to showcase effective methods, exchange insights, and collaborate on plans to ensure the long-term viability and advancement of these industries.

Dr. Roberto Cereno, UPLB Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, emphasized, “The livestock sector plays a crucial role in ensuring the nation’s food security and economic growth. We believe in combining scientific research with industry expertise to fully unlock the potential for the benefit of our farmers, ranchers, and communities. This platform unites stakeholders with a common vision, moving the industry towards sustainability and future-proofing. Seize this opportunity to expand your knowledge and build prospective partnerships.”

The three-day forum comprised various activities organized by UPLB IAS, DTRI, and DA-PCC.

Day 1 included plenary sessions, the KaBaKalympics (Amazing Race), and the KaBaKa Farmers Festival. Participants engaged in plenary sessions covering topics such as Opportunities of Beef Cattle and Breeder Production and Management, Use of Fixed-Time AI in Beef Cattle Breeding Production, Scaling-up Corn Silage Production for Dairy Production, Negosyong KaBaKa (Kalabaw, Baka, at Kambing), and Quality Assurance of Ruminant Feeds.

Dr. Caro B. Salces, OIC-Executive Director of DA-PCC, highlighted the purpose of the activities, stating, “[We carry the passion to serve.] Our focus should be on the ‘Why?’ – farmers benefitting, improving the nutritional status of Filipino children, and achieving self-sufficiency. The ‘How’ will follow. This activity is a step towards realizing our commitment.”

Day 2 centered around plenary sessions. The first session highlighted the “Super Kalabaw” with discussions on Super Gatasang Kalabaw and Molecular Genetic Tests Services for Cattle and Buffalo. DA-PCC Supervising Science Research Specialist Dr. Ester B. Flores and Science Research Specialist I Mr. Alexander Paraguas shared insights into DA-PCC’s Structure Breeding Program and genetic testing technologies.

The second session emphasized Carabao-based Business Enterprises, covering topics like Kumikitang Kabuhayan sa Karne ng Kalabaw, Pilot Nutrition and Livelihood Interventions, and The Dairy Cooperatives Experience. Dr. Rosalina Lapitan discussed the nutritional value of carabao’s meat and its uses, while Ms. Ma. Theresa Rodolfo-Sawit shared interventions promoting nutrition and livelihood programs.

Joseph Caguimbal, TRLAFCO Vice Chair, shared his testimony and cooperative management experience, stressing, “To become rich, we need to carry RICH and MILK – Respect, Identify, Challenge, Help, Manage Wisely, Inquire, Love the Process, Keep improving.”

Ms. Desiree Paras from General Trias Dairy Raisers Multipurpose Cooperative shared their experiences, highlighting the benefits and potential of dairy and carabao-based businesses.

Mr. Jose Canaria, GIP-CBED Coordinator, DA-PCC at UPLB, closed the event, expressing optimism for the future of carabao farming and urging collaboration to move the livestock industry forward.

Dr. Thelma A. Saludes, Center Director, DA-PCC at UPLB, requested, “Help us disseminate the information needed based on your needs.”

Dr. Arnel N. Del Barrio, Director of the Dairy Training and Research Institute, added, “We hope that we are united with our one goal of improving our livestock sectors and value chains.”

Day 3 focused on the KaBaKa Farmer’s Festival with engaging activities such as a techno-demo (practicum) and culinary showdown.

In a bid to promote sustainable carabao production and address the declining carabao population in the province, the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Lamut, Ifugao organized an event titled “Training on Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) for Livestock Farmers of Ifugao”. This event, held last November 3 at the Municipal Livelihood Center, brought together farmers from all 18 barangays of Lamut, who demonstrated their commitment to preserving the carabao as an integral part of their community’s identity and economic livelihood.

The training aimed to raise awareness among farmers about the importance of carabao production and equip them with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage and sustain their carabao herds.
Dr. Rovina R. Piñera, OIC center director of the DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Cagayan State University, shared her expertise on “Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Carabao Production”, emphasizing the significance of proper nutrition and management in ensuring the health and productivity of carabaos.

“Carabaos are not only deeply embedded in our cultural heritage but also play a crucial role in our agricultural practices,” stated Dr. Piñera. “It is imperative that we take every measure to safeguard their population and promote their well-being.”

Dr. Phoebe Lyndia Llantada, Science Research Specialist II of the DA-PCC, provided valuable insights on “Forage Production, Utilization and Management”, guiding farmers on techniques for cultivating and managing forage crops, which serve as a vital component of a carabao’s diet.
“High-quality forage is essential for maintaining the health and vigor of our carabao,” explained Dr. Llantada. “By empowering farmers with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage forage production, we can ensure that their carabaos receive the nourishment they need to thrive.”

The training participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn from experts and engage with their fellow farmers.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to learn more about GAHP,” said one farmer. “We are confident that these practices will help us improve the health and productivity of our carabaos.”

After the training, the Municipality of Lamut and the farmers of Lamut expressed their plan to start a carabao breeding farm to sustain the carabao population. The municipality has already dedicated a 15-hectare piece of land for their planned carabao breeding farm.

The municipality and the farmers were very enthusiastic of the opportunity to improve their carabao population as they include the carabao in their Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) for 2024 evidently showing its importance to the Ifugao life, serving as a symbol of strength, resilience, and prosperity.