Month: March 2025

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Cagayan State University (DA-PCC at CSU) conducted a Social Preparation Training (SPT) for farmer-members of Apayao Piat Agriculture Cooperative (APAC) and Integrated Farmers’ Cooperative (IFC) of Piat, Cagayan to better prepare them with carabao entrepreneurship on February 26-27, 2025 at the DA-PCC at CSU’s training center, Bauang, Piat, Cagayan.

Organized by the Carabao-Based Enterprise Development (CBED) unit of the DA-PCC at CSU, the training aimed to support farmers in qualifying for the programs that the DA-PCC offers.

Celso G. Quinet, Project Assistant IV, shared a comprehensive lecture on DA-PCC’s mandates and programs such as the carabao upgrading and enterprise development.

“The DA-PCC wants to help you conserve and propagate your carabaos, which will become a source of milk, meat, and other byproducts. You will benefit from carabao farming,” he added.

Benedicto B. Blanza, Project Assistant III, tackled the topic: “Pagsasanay para sa Panlipunang Paghahanda ng mga Magsasakang nais Makilahok sa Proyektong Gatasang Kalabaw” to help farmers appreciate the actual purpose of the training. He emphasized how their lives could improve after venturing into carabao-based enterprise. He inspired them by sharing the success stories of dairy farmers in the region that motivated the participants to engage in carabao farming.

To ensure that farmers understand their responsibilities in carabao farming, Romulo A. Salas, CBED coordinator, explained the details and technical aspects of the contract. This important document involves the DA-PCC, the cooperative, and outlines what farmers need to undertake. He emphasized the farmers’ primary responsibilities and obligations regarding carabao propagation.

The training duration highlighted the farmers’ assertiveness as they asked important questions, participated in the activities, and showed willingness to perform their roles in dairy farming, which will eventually benefit them in many ways.

Arya Sta. Maria Dairy SLP Association recently leveled up its knowledge and skills in forage production and conservation management in preparation for the additional buffaloes that will be entrusted by the local government unit of Sta. Maria, Pangasinan, and DA-Philippine Carabao Center at DMMMSU.

The forage production and conservation management training was provided in response to the carapreneurs’ request, which aims to educate them on the importance of proper nutrition for the overall health and productivity of the buffaloes.

The training took place at the association’s communal farm in San Particio, Sta. Maria, Pangasinan, on February 26, 2025.

“Forage production plays a vital role in buffalo production and management, as animal nutrition and health are directly connected to the overall productivity of the buffaloes,” said Vienna Kristel Grospe, forage Coordinator of DA-PCC at DMMMSU, who led the said training.

Forage conservation enables farmers to store feed for their animals during times when feed resources are limited. Additionally, it allows for the enhancement of the nutritional value of feed resources, such as rice straw and forages, by transforming them into improved rice straw and silage.

The training included discussions on feed resources, pasture management, and forage conservation techniques. To help farmers integrate their knowledge with their skills, the DA-PCC at DMMMSU also conducted hands-on demonstrations on how to make corn silage, enhanced rice straw, and urea molasses mineral block.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) and the DA-National Dairy Authority (NDA) convened for a strategic planning workshop to enhance milk production and harmonize reporting mechanisms with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on February 20-21, 2025 at Harolds Hotel in Quezon City.

The initiative aims to streamline milk supply mapping nationwide, ensuring efficient data collection and monitoring as part of the implementation of Republic Act 11037, which promotes the provision of nutritious milk to Filipino children. By harmonizing data reporting systems, the agencies seek to foster transparency and accountability in the dairy industry.

The workshop outlined strategic initiatives to strengthen the dairy sector. Discussions focused on identifying areas for growth, improving farm productivity, and enhancing the dairy supply chain to achieve milk sufficiency.

NDA Administrator Atty. Marcus Antonius Andaya highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between DA-PCC and NDA, urging both agencies to share resources and establish a unified monitoring system for data collection.

DA-PCC’s Executive Director III Dr. Liza G. Battad stressed the importance of equanimity and managing affective valence in achieving productive collaboration.

Atty. Rhaegee Tamaña, Chief of Staff to Senator Cynthia Villar, underscored that mindset and determination are more critical than the pace of progress.

She backed the establishment of a unified monitoring and reporting system between DA-PCC, NDA, and PSA to ensure consistency in data management.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary for Ruminants Benjamin Albarece underscored the goal of ensuring that 80% of productive units in the dairy industry consist of milking animals. He also emphasized the importance of sexed semen technology in accelerating population growth within the sector and called for a reassessment of the sustainable breeding program.

By fostering collaboration between DA-PCC and DA-NDA, the initiative seeks to streamline data collection, ensure consistency, and improve decision-making across the dairy sector.