Month: April 2022

Be in the know about the DA-Philippine Carabao Center’s (DA-PCC) profile, banner program, and latest technology outputs through its recently launched Knowledge Booth.

Initiated and conceptualized by the Learning Events and Coordination Section of the DA-PCC’s Knowledge Management Division (KMD), this one-stop information shop also serves as a showroom for carabao’s milk and meat products and the latest technology products developed by its research and development team.

The Knowledge Booth houses informative and explorative materials, one of which is a 3D infographic miniature that details the milk and meat value chain diagram from production, collection, processing, to marketing of value-added dairy and meat products.

It also features various showcase walls for DA-PCC’s Carabao Development Program, publications and other knowledge products, and the agency’s carabao industry goal and roadmap for the period 2022-2026.

“With the unwavering support of the top management, we are hopeful that the Phase 2 of this project is in the offing wherein more advanced features and interactive materials will be showcased,” KMD Chief Dr. Eric Palacpac said in his welcome remarks during the launching ceremony on March 23.

Also in attendance during the activity were DA-PCC OIC Executive Director Dr. Ronnie Domingo, Deputy Executive Director for Administration and Finance Dr. Caro Salces, Deputy Executive Director for Production and Research Dr. Claro Mingala, KMD staff members, and DA-PCC regional center directors.

Innovation, solid collaborations, and entrepreneurship, according to Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar, are what summarizes the DA-PCC’s significant contributions to the local livestock and dairy industries.

In his speech as the keynote speaker during the agency’s 29th anniversary celebration last March 21-25 at the PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Secretary Dar lauds the agency for manifesting grit and resilience amid the pandemic through its milestones showcased during the weeklong celebration.

Aptly bearing the theme, “Achieving Milestones through Grit and Resiliency,” the DA-PCC showcased 10 carabao development milestones: further expansion of the carabao value-chain through the Carabao-based Business Improvement Network and the Coconut-Carabao Development Project; participation of dairy buffalo farmers in the national milk feeding program; commercialization of the Karabun technology and Dairy Box business modality; registration to IPO Philippines of PCC developed intellectual properties, i.e. Dairy Box, Kardeli, and Nyogurt; development of the iHealth and iFodder mobile apps; updating of the Dairy Buffalo Handbook; National GAHP Certification of DA-PCC at CSU’s Institutional Herd; appointment as National Livestock Cryobank; and sustained ISO certifications.

The DA Chief also challenged the DA-PCC to use its experience of 29 years to increase carabao’s milk and meat production as well as aggressively carry out product research and development in the country.

“Think big, aim higher,” he urged the DA-PCC with emphasis on the proper implementation of the agency’s research programs and application of results, as well as private sector investments. These, he said, will boost milk production in the country.

Dr. Ronnie Domingo, DA-PCC’s OIC-Executive Director, assured that the agency will continue to strengthen the implementation of the Carabao Industry Roadmap for 2020-2025, the implementation of the School-based Milk Feeding Program, and the operation of the Carabao-based Business Improvement Network and Coconut-Carabao Development projects.

On the other hand, Senator Cynthia Villar, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, virtually sent her warm wishes to the agency saying that she commends the agency for overcoming the many challenges brought about by the pandemic and the obstacles to fully realize its mandate. She said her office will continue to advocate and support the agency’s cause.

A lineup of activities that aimed to strengthen employee engagement were conducted during the weeklong celebration. These included the National Women’s Month celebration, mental health awareness and wellness, launching of the Knowledge Booth, Karwanan Night, and the employees’ appreciation and recognition.

It was during the latter that five of the agency’s Outstanding Employees for 2021 were recognized. They were: Benjamin John Basilio, Center Director of DA-PCC at USM as Outstanding Center Director; Dr. Thelma Saludes, Center Director of DA-PCC at UPLB as Outstanding Researcher; Dr. Edward Paraguison, Science Research Specialist of DA-PCC at CLSU as Outstanding Supervisor; Janice Cuaresma, CBED coordinator of DA-PCC at WVSU as Outstanding Development Officer; and Rolly Ardeño of DA-PCC at LCSF as Outstanding Support Staff.

The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center at USM (DA-PCC at USM) in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute XI (ATI-XI) conferred the almost 200 farmer-enrollees of Davao del Sur as graduates of the first-ever School on-the-Air on Dairy Buffalo Production (SOA-DBP) in Region XI on March 18, 2022 in a ceremony held at the Davao del Sur Coliseum, Digos City.

During the mass graduation ceremony, Dr. Eric Palacpac, chief of DA-PCC’s Knowledge Management Division, highlighted the purpose of SOA-DBP, which is to further reach buffalo raisers or carabao keepers when disseminating knowledge, technologies, programs, and services in dairy buffalo production via radio broadcasting.

“Davao Region is ideal for buffalo production as it is home to almost 145,000 heads of carabao (2020 data). Davaoeños can contribute significantly to developing the local dairy industry by honing their knowledge and skills on buffalo dairying,” Palacpac added.

Likewise, ATI-XI Director Dante Esguerra challenged the graduates coming from the municipalities of Bansalan, Hagonoy, Magsaysay, Matanao, and Kiblawan to practice what they have learned in dairy buffalo production during their four months of learning through the radio.

“It is not about constant practice that makes you perfect, but instead it is correct practice that makes you perfect. I challenge you all to share the new technologies and knowledge you have gained from SOA-DBP,” Director Esguerra said.

Moreover, DA-PCC at USM Center Director Benjamin John C. Basilio gave thanks to the farmers and partner-agencies for their unending support to the carabao development program in the region.

“To the different local government units, agriculture and veterinary offices, we thank you for your unending support and time to be the channel of blessing for carabao development program for the farmers of Region XI. With our collective effort, we make things possible!” Director Basilio exclaimed.

Meanwhile, farmer-graduates shared their gratitude as SOA-DBP opens new door of opportunities in carabao keeping.

“SOA-DBP is a package deal. It gives us new knowledge on how to properly take care of our carabaos. At the same time, it introduced new opportunities to gain profit and to have additional income coming from carabao,” Rene Mark Ybañez, SOA-DBP graduate, said.

The same graduation ceremony will be conducted on March 29 and 30 for farmer-enrollees from Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental, respectively. The SOA-DBP is a radio program with 16 lessons on Feeding Management, Health Management, Breeding Management, Carabao Enterprise, and Technology adoption. It started on November 2021 and aired in DXRD 711Mhz with livestreaming via ATI-XI and DA-PCC at USM Facebook pages.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at University of Southern Mindanao in collaboration with Sta. Catalina Multi-Purpose Cooperative launched the first-ever Farmer Livestock School on Dairy Buffalo Production (FLS-DBP) in Cotabato Province.

During the opening program held on March 16, DA-PCC Knowledge Management Division Chief Dr. Eric Palacpac gave emphasis on the importance and goal of FLS-DBP which is to allow the farmers to discover and learn through experimentations and testing until they can develop the right and suitable technologies for their localities, problems, resources and capabilities.

“FLS-DBP offers you a basket of options not a package of technology. We will let you select which practices fits in your preferences or in your area. Unlike with traditional trainings, FLS-DBP gives bite size of information for your easy digestion or intake of knowledge,” Rovelyn Jacang, KMD Staff, added.

In addition, DA-PCC at USM Center Director Benjamin John C. Basilio encourages the farmer-enrollees about the advantage of attending learning events.

“We can gain knowledge by attending different trainings. It is not only the training per se, but also by the shared experiences of your co-attendees we can gain new initiatives that we can replicate in our farms. Fortunately, the FLS-DBP focuses on this approach of learning by collecting ideas, experiences, and practices from different farmers,” Director Basilio said.

On the same day, Jacang together with Cristine Joy Del Rosario, Nasrola Ibrahim, Raquel Bermudez, Airene Rigon, and Rodolfo Valdez Jr. of DA-PCC facilitated the first two lessons which are understanding the FLS-DBP and the potential of dairy buffalo production.

Moreover, former graduates of FLS-DBP such as Jessa Grace Casanillo, Rodante Constantino Jr., and Dominic Paclibar were invited to facilitate and discuss lessons for the succeeding classes.

This year’s FLS-DBP, first-ever in Cotabato province and second for the Region XII, is a season-long workshop that will run every Friday until July 8, 2022, which will be guided by accredited FLS-DBP facilitators.

Meanwhile, Sta. Catalina MPC Operations Manager Wendell Amoronio encourages their 16 selected co-op member-enrollees in FLS-DBP to actively participate.

“One of the bases for you to avail of our buffalo is by attending related trainings. DA-PCC at USM gives trainings for us to be capacitated and competent in dairy buffalo production,” reminded Amoronio.

Sta. Catalina MPC in Pres. Roxas, one of the co-op conduits of DA-PCC under ALAB-Karbawan Project, practices communal dairy farming. Eventually, the co-op decided to dole out the dairy animals for the betterment of their members who have enough knowledge on dairying.