BONGABON, Nueva Ecija — About 15 farmers from Bongabon, Nueva Ecija received training on various aspects of buffalo management.
The National Dairy Business Hub (NDBH) of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) not only aims to provide farmers with the right skills but also strengthen the community ties and support networks within the agricultural sector.
During the training, NDBH Project Development Officer Genaro Candelaria emphasized the importance of having proper knowledge to ensure appropriate management practices in carabao farming which provides livelihood to farmers.
“We have to get our process and management right so that our carabao can give us the profit we expect,” he emphasized.
Bongabon Municipal Veterinarian Francisca Loida Cabana, on the other hand, discussed the local government’s initiatives to meet the needs of farmers.
She encouraged them not to hesitate to ask for assistance from the government.
Cabana also recognized the participation of women farmers in the training, who play significant roles in various aspects of the carabao value chain.
“We are delighted to see the active involvement of women in our training. Their contributions, spanning from management to marketing of the carabao and its by-products, are crucial to the success of our industry,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Teresita Abrazaldo from the Olivete Association praised the quality of the training that they have received.
“We appreciate the encouragement from the training team. Their commitment goes beyond the training and demonstrates the agency’s willingness to invest in us as beneficiaries of its program,” she shared.
Nomerlito Sales, one of the participants, expressed his hope for future training opportunities.
“We hope to participate in more learning events conducted by PCC in the future. It did help me appreciate the role of carabao as more than just draft power but as a sustainable livelihood,” he added.
The training featured discussions on breeding and reproduction management of buffalo, as well as proper housing, waste management, and the importance of maintaining comfort for the animals.
Other topics include forage production, management and conservation, nutrition and feeding management, animal health management, proper milking and milk handling, herd management, and dairy safety regulation.
Source: PIA Region 3
