Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center at West Visayas State University (DA-PCC at WVSU), in partnership with DA-Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA) Region VI, conducted farmers’ orientation and turned over 20 carabaos and farm tools and supplies to its respective beneficiaries last February 19.
The said event was one of the directives being advocated by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform anchored on cara-dairy and coco-based farming.
The turn-over ceremonies were simultaneously held at Brgy. Feliciano, Balete, Aklan and Brgy. Calimbajan, Makato, Aklan, alongside farmers’ orientation on the Coconut Carabao Development Project (CCDP).
DA-PCC WVSU Center Director Arn Granada, DA-PCA Region VI Regional Manager III Jeffrey Delos Reyes, Aklan Vice Governor Hon. Reynaldo Quimpo, and Balete Municipal Mayor Hon. Dexter Calizo led the turn-over ceremony.
In his opening message, Dir. Arn Granada acknowledged the efforts of the local government of Aklan and DA-PCA Region VI for initiating the said project.
On the same day, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the Coconut Carabao Development Project (CCDP) in the Second Congressional District of Aklan was signed by Cong. Teodorico Haresco Jr., partner LGU-Makato, Aklan, and Calimbajan Mainuswagon Panimaeay Consumers Cooperative (CMPCC) at the office of Cong. Haresco, Tangalan, Aklan.
The CCDP aims to provide additional income to coconut farmers by providing sustainable livelihoods and business opportunities through carabao-based enterprises, and to ensure the availability of locally produced milk in support of RA 11037, otherwise known as “Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Program” currently being implemented by Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The said program is centered on the theme, “Developing the Dairy Buffalo Value-Chain Under Coconut Farming System”.
