Department of Agriculture, February 22, 2011

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala this week gave a much-needed boost to the country’s carabao-based dairy industry by awarding ten Central Luzon-based cooperatives with certificates of entrustment benefitting 204 farmers with dairy breed buffaloes.

In a turn-over ceremony held at Tayabo, San Jose City, Alcala awarded the dairy buffalo modules to farmers’ cooperatives from the towns of Talavera, General Natividad, Aliaga, Llanera, Lupao, Rizal and San Jose City.

The turn-over was part of the 2,000 head dairy buffaloes infused in the country early last year as an important component of the overall national carabao genetic improvement program.

About 734 purebred buffaloes were already released to selected farmers in Nueva Ecija. Another 740 heads are in the waiting list to be entrusted to farmers who are still in the qualifying process rigorously implemented by the Philippine Carabao Center.

Alcala said that with the infusion of these riverine breed of buffaloes, more smallholder farmers will gain additional income while farming families will be benefited with greater access to better nutrition.

“We do not end here but this is just a beautiful beginning of our collective efforts to prepare for a brighter future for our children,” Secretary Alcala said as he assured farmers of the agency’s continued support and assistance.

“It is in empowering our smallholder farmers and fishers that we see a more progressive economy,” he added.

Before attending the turn-over ceremony, Secretary Alcala had a tour of the PCC facilities including the National Gene Pool for riverine buffaloes.

PCC officials, led by Executive Director Dr. Libertado Cruz, ushered the Secretary to witness actual demonstrations of machine-milking, artificial insemination, and ovum pick-up for carabaos.

Along the way, Secretary Alcala rode with farmers of the National Impact Zone and had a brief “on-board” forum about some of their pressing concerns.