The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) highlights meaningful partnerships with various local government units and private institutions in the recently concluded 7th National Carabao Conference (NCC) held in a blended approach (online and on-site following standard safety and health protocols) on October 25 to 29.

The conference kicked off with the opening of a techno exhibit, which showcased DA-PCC’s technologies at the Milka Krem compound. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the exhibit was presided by Science City of Muñoz Administrator Dr. Raul Divina, DA-PCC OIC Executive Director Dr. Ronnie Domingo, DA-PCC Deputy Executive Director Dr. Caro Salces and 7th NCC overall Chairperson Dr. Peregrino Duran. Dr. Cyril Baltazar, Farm Superintendent II, facilitated the demonstration and explained the importance of some technologies such as the baler machine.

The techno exhibit is also part of the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita where carabao’s milk-based products, Kardeli carabao’s meat products, and local vegetables and fruits produced by different partner cooperatives and farmers were also on sale.

Meanwhile, DA Secretary William Dar in his keynote address enumerated the carabao industry’s goals, which include accelerating herd build up, increasing productivity and profitability of carabao-based enterprises, ensuring availability of safe and quality milk and meat products from genetically improved carabaos and harnessing the niche market for carabao-derived products.

“In achieving such goals, we must modernize farm facilities, strengthen farm consolidation, reduce the cost of feed, strengthen research for development, and continue collaboration with LGUs,” encouraged Dar.

He also mentioned the PL480 project under the United States Agricultural Trade and Development Assistance for the carabao industry stakeholders, which aims to increase the annual family income of carabao farmers by 20%, produce 27. 7 million liters of milk, establish 22 provincewide impact areas as dairy business hubs, increase dairy carabao inventory and provide policy actions that are supportive to dairy business buildup. The PL480 will be jointly implemented by the National Dairy Authority (NDA), DA-PCC and Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) as fund manager.

Similarly, Committee Chairperson for Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform Senator Cynthia Villar reiterated the importance of carabao’s milk as a supplement for nutritional deficiency in undernourished children and as an additional livelihood for local farmers and entrepreneurs. Thus, it encourages more farmers and entrepreneurs to venture into dairy industry in the country.

Further, DA-PCC OIC Executive Director, Dr. Ronnie Domingo, during his presentation of the Carabao Industry Roadmap, emphasized the importance of the competitiveness in marketing industry. He challenged the agency to identify niche market where the agency will target specific consumers and market segment for carabao-based products.

DA-Assistant Secretary-Designate for Regulations, Dr. Liza Battad, also shared her encouragement through virtual presentation during the program.

Activities during the third and fourth day include the Launching of the New DA-PCC Music Video sung and composed by outgoing DA-PCC at La Carlota Stock Farm Center Director Ariel Abaquita, Roundtable Discussion with DA-PCC Partner Chief Executives hosted by Francis "Kiko" Flores of Tulong Balita Online, Dairy Value Chain Innovations updates, and Discussions on the agency’s Policy and Program Implementations.

These were followed by the recognition of the 7th NCC awardees across the DA-PCC network. Winners for the Outstanding Dairy Farmers (Family Module Category) include Ceferino Ligot, Panfilo Tutor, and Pedro Silvidad; (Semi-commercial Category) Ernie Lita June Flores and Dominic Paclibar; and (Commercial Category) Elpidio Manaloto Jr. Winners for Outstanding Dairy Buffalo Cooperative/ Farmers Association include General Trias Dairy Raisers Multi-purpose Cooperative, San Jose Dairy Producers Association, and Muleta Side Buffalo Dairy Association. Winners for Outstanding Bull Recipients include Joselito Canlas and Ruben Butlig while winners for Outstanding Village-based Artificial Insemination Technicians (VBAITs) include Bernie Glenn Guevarra and Rolly Richard Zalameda. Also, awardees for Best Dairy Cow (Purebred-Junior Cow Category) ID no 2BP16013 owned by Richard Reyes, ID no 2LC17006 owned by Doreen Alicia and ID no 2LSC14012 owned by Gregorio Cueco; and (Purebred-Senior Cow Category) ID no 2NIZ16006 onwed by Victoriano Dumale and ID no IT20141135 owned by Melgin Zenith were recognized.

The testimonial narratives video for the ALAB Karbawan Project Communities, which were sponsored by Sen. Villar, was also premiered followed by the launching of Gawad Livestock and Poultry Award and holding of a Knowledge Café.

Private partners from the New Rural Bank of San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija Inc. also loaned out Php4,617,000 to selected dairy cooperatives, which was part of the DA-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Agri-Negosyo Loan program.

A MOA Signing of the DA-PCC, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and Le Ferme Livestock Development Partnership took place after the closing ceremony. The agreement aims to establish the partnership between the three agencies in revolutionizing the livestock production by producing the best quality of beef cattle through the infusion of the Wagyu breed and to strengthen the dairy production by producing genetically superior buffaloes using the advanced reproductive biotechnologies.