Transitioning to the new economy with a renewed resolve to implement the Carabao Development Program is the DA-Philippine Carabao Center’s (DA-PCC) fresh commitment this year as it celebrates its 28th anniversary.
The commitment is guided by the key strategies set forth by the DA’s “One DA” master plan, which aims to strengthen and harmonize development initiatives in the carabao industry value chain with emphasis on harnessing strategic partnerships with the local government, academic community, and the private sector.
Ultimately, the plan is to overcome the challenges of the pandemic and help uplift the living conditions of rural farming communities.
A virtual program was conducted on March 29 through Facebook live streaming joined by DA-PCC regional centers, partners, and carapreneurs across the PCC network.
Dr. Ronnie D. Domingo, DA-PCC OIC executive director, reported on the efforts of the agency during the pandemic, such as the livestock rescue operations during the volcanic eruption in Taal, the rolling out of Kadiwa Buffalo Milk on Wheels, and the introduction of new technologies developed to improve carapreneurs’ management and production systems.
“Matagumpay na naisakatuparan ang mga programa ng PCC dahil sa patuloy na paglalaan ng budget ng gobyerno para sa pananaliksik. Patuloy kaming nakikipagtulungan sa mga local at international organizations upang mas lalo pang umasenso ang ating industriya ng pagkakalabaw,” Domingo said as he enumerated the program priorities of the agency.
The program priorities include a dairy roadmap from 2020 to 2025 (in partnership with the National Dairy Authority), PL480 project with P512M budget, and partnership with private stakeholders, province-wide Carabao-based Business Improvement Network project, Coconut-Carabao Development Project, and the School-based Milk Feeding Program led by Department of Education and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Domingo said these efforts are beyond the regular activities under the three-pronged CDP that includes Genetic Improvement Program, Carabao-based Enterprise Development Program, and Research for Development.
In a pre-recorded message, Sen. Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, reminded the agency to work for the optimum development of the country’s dairy sector which will redound to poverty alleviation, increase farmer’s income, and improve nutrition of children.
Former DA-PCC executive directors and CDP pillars Dr. Libertado Cruz and Dr. Arnel del Barrio also encouraged DA-PCC to remain resilient against all circumstances amid and beyond the pandemic and continue to be a catalyst that can bring about change and clear-cut solutions to benefit thousands more of farming families. Both agreed that these efforts should be backed up with sound science and bolstered with partnerships. – Press release
