Manila: A remote farming village here is not yet bidding goodbye to the carabao amid farm mechanization, as improved breeds can still bring more rewards than expected. Such is the case for at least 25 small farmers in Barangay San Marcelino in this rice granary town of Ilocos Norte who are now reaping the benefits of dairy carabao farming.
According to Philippines News Agency, Edelberto Reyes Jr., a member of the Timpuyog De San Marcelino Sustainable Livelihood Program Association Inc. and a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), shared his journey of transformation through dairy carabao farming. Entrusted with a dairy breed-type carabao by the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in 2022, Reyes has been earning an average income of PHP4,000 a week since the carabao gave birth twice. This income enabled him to save money and build a two-bedroom house, a significant upgrade from living with his parents, and a testament to the possibilities brought by dairy farming.
Reyes' success story has motivated other small farmers and 4Ps beneficiaries in the community to explore carabao milk production and vermicomposting. With financial support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the PCC, the Timpuyog De San Marcelino Sustainable Livelihood Program Association Inc. is scaling up efforts to combat hunger and poverty through this initiative.
Other members of the association have graduated from the 4Ps program, leading to improved economic conditions and educational achievements for their children. Lilibeth Ganitano, another program beneficiary, expressed gratitude for the support that helped her family become self-sufficient. Her daughters are now employed in Metro Manila, contributing to the family's financial stability.
Reynaldo Gaoiran and his wife, Norilyn, also find dairy farming more rewarding than rice farming. They cherish the opportunity to care for their carabao, "Narda," and appreciate the reduced costs associated with dairy farming compared to traditional agriculture.
The PCC highlights the benefits of developed crossbreeds in enhancing milk production, growth, and meat availability. The commission actively supports local farmers by purchasing their dairy products and providing necessary resources like freezers for proper milk storage. With a commitment of 50 additional carabaos, the PCC aims to further strengthen dairy farming in the province.
The local government of Dingras, under Mayor Joemelle Go Sy, has pledged support to ensure the project's sustainability and position San Marcelino as a model barangay for carabao dairy farming. Sy expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of government and private agencies in implementing this transformative program to uplift the community.
