BONTOC, Mountain Province – In line with Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol’s vision of turning the Cordillera into the dairy capital of the country, the livestock program of the region has set things moving by conducting an orientation and experiential learning for Mountain Province.
The Dairy Production Project aims to give farmers opportunities in exploring a new type of farming and to gain knowledge and further strengthen their capabilities. Through multi-farming, farmers would be able to have an additional source of income. The project is targeted for heirloom rice farmers in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
According to Dr. Anthony Bantog, chief of the livestock program, “Even those who are not members of heirloom rice cooperatives can avail of the project as long as they are producing heirloom rice.”
Farmers who are interested will undergo intensive training and screening. This way, the department would be able to screen and be assured of the farmer’s capabilities, knowledge, and interest. Proper knowledge and practices of upgrading the livestock would also be taught to them.
Selected heirloom rice farmers of Mountain Province, as individual or groups, will be given two milking cattle worth P 210,000 to start with. After four years, farmers would have to return back one pregnant cow.
Successful dairy cattle farming takes a lot of patience and diligence. This is not only for basic subsistence but also as a business. The agriculture department will be with the farmers every step of the way. “Hindi namin kayo iiwan until matuto kayo,” says Dr. Bantog.
After the two-day orientation, the farmers were taken for a tour of three dairy farms in Bulacan where they were able to witness dairy farming first hand.
CAR is placed at an advantage in dairy farming due to its cool climate. Also by being a tourist destination, it is set to be the dairy capital of the Philippines. Aside from milk, other commodities such as cheese, yogurt, and sweets can be produced from this livelihood.
More provinces in the region will soon be included in the project.
By Ayra Galanza
