SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) is helping strengthen the dairy herd of the Pulong Buli Primary Multipurpose Cooperative (PBPMC) through the entrustment of 21 purebred dairy buffaloes to 16 of its members.
Carried out through the Animal Entrustment Program (AEP), the DA-PCC National Impact Zone (NIZ) spearheaded the initiative in Santo Domingo and Quezon, Nueva Ecija, in cooperation with the Animal Breeding and Genomics Section.
The agency sourced the dairy buffaloes from its National Water Buffalo Gene Pool.
According to DA-PCC, qualified farmers are entrusted with dairy buffaloes under the AEP as part of efforts to increase the country’s dairy herd, improve local milk production, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to dairy farming communities.
NIZ Science Research Specialist Mario Delizo said PBPMC’s selection as a recipient cooperative was based on its strong leadership, sound financial management, efficient operations, and complete dairy processing facilities.
Additionally, the cooperative has a Food and Drug Administration License to Operate and supplies milk for the government’s Milk Feeding Program.
PBPMC identified the beneficiaries from among its members based on their capability and commitment to properly care for and manage the dairy buffaloes.
Experienced dairy farmers and new beneficiaries received the entrusted animals, including two DA-PCC Youth Camp graduates whose parents are also engaged in dairy farming.
The young beneficiaries have expressed interest in continuing their parents’ livelihood, reflecting the agency’s push for greater youth participation in the dairy industry and the continuity of dairy farming across generations.
DA-PCC said the aging population of PBPMC’s members and dairy farmers has contributed to the decline in its dairy herd, which the entrustment also seeks to address.
Overall, the buffalo entrustment aligns with the thrust of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in strengthening the agriculture sector, supporting farmers’ livelihoods, and contributing to the country’s food security. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
