iASK Series: Buying back of breedable female carabaos from the farmers ensures replacement stocks for herd build-up.

One of the main programs of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) is improving the genetic quality of female carabao thru artificial insemination (AI) and natural breeding via loaned out bulls. However, PCC has observed that dairy farmers sell the products of AI and bull loans, especially breedable female buffaloes, due to their financial needs.

In its survey, PCC found the carabao population declining despite its continuous breeding program.

Currently, PCC has no fund allocated for “buying back” the breedable female buffaloes from the farmers.

But PCC at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) started sourcing funds for a buyback scheme by collaborating with Local Government Units (LGUs) and other agencies.

In 2012, PCC at DMMMSU partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in procuring additional stocks from existing dairy carabao herds in Brgy. Bantog, Asingan, Pangasinan. As a result, the DOLE released Php500,000 for the purchase of crossbred female carabaos or island-born purebred dairy buffaloes. Those female carabaos have already calved and were producing milk.

The province of Pangasinan allocated an initial fund of Php1.5 million for the buyback of breedable female carabaos to support Provincial Ordinance No. 170, Series of 2012 or “An Ordinance Regulating the Sale or Slaughter of Female Carabaos (Riverine Buffaloes and Crossbreds) within the Province of Pangasinan thereby establishing a Buyback Scheme for Female Breedable Carabaos and providing funds therefore”. So far, they have already purchased 20 head female crossbred buffaloes.

In year 2014-2015, The LGU-Aringay, La Union allocated funds from its bottoms up budgeting and were able to buy back 65 head female crossbred carabaos amounting to Php3 million.

In year 2015, the DOLE allocated Php1 million for the buyback of 20 head female crossbred carabaos and awarded them to farmers in Bauang, La Union.

This, therefore, enabled PCC at DMMMSU to save the breedable carabaos, which are products of AI and loaned out bulls; and demonstrate the possibilities for income and employment generation – a showcase of LGU-NGO-multi-agency collaboration towards successful and sustainable Carabao-based Enterprise Development.

 

STEPS

Phase 1

1. Courtesy call to LGU-NGO’s and other agencies

2. Presentation of the program

3. Joining the Sangguniang Bayan Session/Association of Barangay Officials

4. Submitting project proposal to concerned LGUs and other agencies

5. Assisting LGUs and farmers in Lakbay-aral (study tour) to existing carabao projects

6. Continuous follow-up. If approved, evaluation of proposed recipients

7. Final evaluation (corral, forage, etc.)

8. Training on social preparation (values formation)

9. Training on carabao dairy management

10. Continuous training (funded by other agencies)

 

Phase 2

1. Sourcing of animals direct from farmers

2. Awarding of animals to qualified recipients

3. MOA Contract (Animal Contract-LGU-PCC-agency)

4. Continuous coaching/monitoring of carabao dairy project

5. Assistance in marketing the product  

6. Collaboration with other agencies for other training

7. Assistance in developing a carabao festival

 

Benefits:

1. All milk proceeds go to the recipients

2. Sharing of calves produced is based on the agreement between the LGU and the farmers.

 

Aringay, La Union adopted the “Paiwi” system

•First calf to be owned by the recipient

•Second-to-the-last calf is via 50:50 sharing

•Original stocks that are not productive go back to the LGU

 

In Bauang, La Union

•First calf to LGU

•Succeeding calf is via 50:50 sharing

•Original stock goes back to the LGU