“Our venture in dairying has not been easy; we encountered obstacles since we started in 2013. But our commitment to this business is now paying off with the milk that we are able to collect from the buffaloes and the income that we derive from the sales. During our initial years, I and my fellow carabao raisers were having a hard time managing the dairy buffaloes but with the consistent support provided to us by PCC at University of Southern Mindanao (PCC@USM) and with the assistance of the Local Government Unit (LGU), we are now profitably benefitting from this undertaking,” Yolanda Paches, a dairy farmer and a SOA-DBP graduate, said.

In a graduation ceremony of the School-on-the-Air on Dairy Buffalo Production (SOA-DBP)  held last February 26, 400 graduates assembled at a gymnasium in Sto. Niño, South Cotabato to receive their certificates of completion.

During fellowships, prior to and following the rites, graduates shared stories of their successes. Members of the Canahay Dairy Farmers Association (CADAFA), for example, recalled how they started in the dairy business and how this venture has earned their families sustainable income.

They all agree that the SOA-DBP, as a platform, has inspired them to go further into this livelihood by continuous learning and application.

The SOA-DBP is a four-month radio program aired from October 2019 to February 2020 in Surallah, South Cotabato through PCC’s collaboration with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) – Region XII, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Region XII, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, South Cotabato Provincial Veterinary Office, Municipal Agricultural Offices of Norala, Surallah, Tantangan, Sto. Niño, Banga, Lake Sebu, Tupi, and T’boli.

The program was aired over Radyo Bandera 98.1 News FM and Radyo Kahiusa 99.3 FM featuring the technologies on dairy buffalo production and management.

During the rites, each of the graduates were given planting paraphernalia such as shovel, drum, leash, camisole shirt, among others. The crowd got even more stirred up as a female carabao paraded at the venue as one of the raffle prizes. 

An informative session called “ATIng Alamin”, was also conducted by ATI Region XII.

This session provided for a venue among the graduates to personally ask their questions to the various government officials who were present in the event. A farmer-to-farmer learning and sharing session also transpired, which made it possible for members of CADAFA to encourage fellow dairy farmers to start milking their carabaos.

On the other hand, Dominic Paclibar, one of PCC’s buffalo recipients under the family module category and a progressive partner of PCC who decided to start up a dairy business, assured the dairy farmers of South Cotabato a sure market for their produce. He offered to buy milk at Php75 per liter. To further encourage them to start milking their buffaloes, he even offered to fetch their milk produce door-to-door. 

Paclibar’s buying price per liter is significantly higher than the prevailing price in the area which is at Php50 to Php60.

“Each of us should contribute to the milk production of the country, particularly here in South Cotabato, through the support of the government,” Paclibar said.

“Participating in an activity such as this SOA-DBP for me is such a great experience. We learned a lot and we feel important playing a significant role as carabao farmers in contributing to the development of the dairy industry. When we know that the government is there to give us full support, we feel really motivated to do well in this endeavor”. [Arci Arceo, one of the graduates]