MANILA, Philippines - Some 200 Nueva Eci ja farmers from 10 cooperatives received dairy carabaos from the DA through the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (PCC)
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala gave their respective certificate of entitlement in simple ceremonies at Tayabo, San Jose City, during his recent visit.
PCC executive director Dr. Libertado Cruz said the reci-pient-farmers are from the towns of Talavera, Gen. Natividad, Aliaga, Llanera, Lupao, Rizal and San Jose City.
Said batch of dairy carabaos is part of the 2,000 head that will be distributed by the DA-PCC under the national carabao genetic improvement program.
Last year, 734 purebred buffaloes were given to selected farmers, also in Nueva Ecija.
Another 740 are to be entrusted to qualified farmers in other provinces.
Alcala said with the dairy buffaloes, more small farmers will earn additional income and at the same provide their families and other households with fresh nutritious milk
“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,” Alcala said, as he assured farmers of continued support and assistance of the DA through the PCC.
“It is in empowering our smallholder farmers and fishers that we will see a more progressive countryside and national economy,” he noted.
As a former congressman, Alcala encouraged incumbent Nueva Ecija legislators to help fund carabao milk-feeding and dairy projects to increase farmers’ incomes and provide livelihood opportunities in their respective constituencies.
Alcala toured the PCC facilities including the National Gene Pool for riverine buffaloes; witnessed actual demonstrations of machine-milking; artificial insemination and ovum pick-up for carabaos.