Preparations are underway for the planned P10 million worth Carabao-Based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) project in Apayao.
The Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), in partnership with the Cagayan State University and the Provincial Government of Apayao, briefed members of the Apayao Livestock Cooperative (ALC) about the project recently.
Former PCC Region 2 Director Frank Rellin said the project aims to establish a carabao-based value chain model in the province.
It will be covered by a memorandum of agreement between the PCC and ALC with the provincial government and will be granted in the form of an animal breeder loan.
The PCC will initially provide 50 heads of dairy carabaos, two motorcycles, several equipment, capability building and other technical support services to facilitate production, processing, and marketing of dairy products.
The provincial government will be responsible for the forage area and housing requirements.
Gov. Elias Bulut, Jr. expressed gratitude for being part of the project, which he said is a welcome development for the province and a challenge to the beneficiaries.
“We are lucky to be chosen as one of the beneficiaries of such a project. It is, however, a challenge for us to let it flourish, multiply its benefits and later serve as an inspiration to other aspiring dairy farmers in the province to engage in the same,” Bulut said. The CBIN, a brainchild of Sen. Cynthia Villar, started in 2019 was piloted in 18 provinces in Visayas, Mindanao, Region 3, and Region I. It was eventually rolled out throughout the country. – Redjie Melvic Cawis
