The tandem project of the DA-Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA) and DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) called Coconut-Carabao Development Project (CCDP) in Zamboanga Sibugay is steadily gaining ground as efforts to infuse dairy carabaos in select pilot sites are underway.

This was following the recent entrustment of 34 female dairy carabaos—24 head in Makilas and 10 in Tomitom, both in Ipil town, last October 8.

The CCDP is anchored on the One-DA’s reform agenda on consolidation, under which is diversification of commodities among producers of rice, corn, and coconut. The objective of the strategy is to enhance productivity and increase farmers’ incomes.

An initiative of  the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform through Senator Cynthia Villar, the CCDP aims to accomplish the following: contribute in uplifting the economic situation of coconut farmers through the establishment of carabao-based enterprises complemented with increased coconut farm productivity, provide dairy carabaos to coconut farmers to promote coconut farm diversification, increase the local milk production in order to contribute in improving the nutrition of the community, and assist in market linkaging through cooperative conduits.

DA-PCC OIC Executive Director Dr. Ronnie Domingo said, “We thank you for your sincere support of these programs and we will continue to partner with you. You know that the Department of Agriculture, headed by Secretary Dar, is trying to achieve the dream of “Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita”. That is why, we in the national government will continue to support our cooperatives, our farmers, and our local government units so that this dream may come true”.

Present during the entrustment ceremony were Ipil Mayor Hon. Anamel Olegario, Legislative Staff Member of Sen. Villar Robert Christian Villacura, PCA-Ipil OIC Division Chief Ariel Tomong, Manager of Ipil Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative Masdi Hasim; Association President of Makilas Coconut Farmers Association (MaCoFA) Nilo L. Gualberto,and Association President of Tomitom Coconut Farmers Association (ToCoFA) Pedro Maligro, Center Director of DA-PCC at MLPC Cecelio Velez, Community Development Specialist of DA-PCC at MLPC Fe Emelda Academia, and  DA-PCC employees and farmers.

“We are so lucky that we were chosen out of the 16 municipalities. That is why we will not forsake this project,” Mayor Olegario said during the activity.

“Hopefully, this project, which started from training to entrustment of dairy buffaloes and provision of supplies and materials, can increase our farmers’ productivity and give them additional income,” added Tomong.

Meanwhile, Director Velez said the project is still experiencing birthing pains, as implementation is still met with challenges.

“With the help of our farmers and with the steady support of our partners and the office of Senator Villar, we are certain this project will very soon reap its expected impact on the community,” he said.

The fresh milk that will be produced by the local dairy farmers in the region will be supplied for the national milk feeding program in support of RA 11037, otherwise known as “Masustansiyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act”.