IF YOU ask a Filipino to describe what a farmer looks like, don't be surprised if carabao is also being mentioned.

The two are partners when it comes to farming. The carabao is the farmer's beast of burden, pulling the plow and harrow and hauling farm produce when market time comes.

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In Northern Samar, the old payatak method of farming is still the method of choice. The soil of the rice paddy is first softened with rainwater or diverted watershed, then the farmer guides a group of carabaos in trampling the planting area until it is soggy enough to receive the rice seedlings.

Although there is still no law that decrees the carabao to be a national symbol in the country, it is generally considered by most Filipinos to be their national animal. In the late 1980s, a Philippine-made contemporary carabao puppet character, named Kardong Kalabaw, became popular. This beloved character came to symbolize the Filipino people's hard work and sense of industry.

There is also a festival being observed in honor of this animal. At the Carabao Festival, the animals are washed and decorated with ribbons and flowers. After the carabao race, the animals are paraded in front of the local church, where they are made to kneel down to be blessed.

But despite all these, carabao has been forced out from the farm by mechanized farming. As a result, its population dwindled from 2.95 million in 1988 to 2.48 million in 1992, according to statistics compiled by the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development.

"Unless we do something now, we might wake up one day an agricultural country without a carabao to speak of," a farming expert warned. But the good news is: the current population of carabao has increased to 3.33 million, most of which are raised in the backyards.

"Technologies to improve the carabao not only as a source of draft but more importantly of milk and meat have been developed to increase its population and its profitability," reports Ma. Eloisa E. Hernandez of the Bureau of Agricultural Research.

Thanks to the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in Nueva Ecija, created by Republic Act 7307 (authored by then senator Joseph Estrada). An attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, PCC is mandated to conserve, propagate and promote the carabao as a source of milk, meat, draft power, and hide to benefit the rural farmers.

PCC started its operation in 1993 and has now 13 centers all over the country. "We are now recognized as one of the leading institutions in buffalo development in the world," said Dr. Libertado C. Cruz, the center's executive director. "Our institution has a very clear program and direction which are being utilized by many countries now as a model in developing their buffalo program."

Actually, the PCC's program has three components: genetic conservation and utilization, social and enterprise development, and research and development. "We genetically improve the productivity of our native animals," said Dr. Cruz. "This is aimed at improving the breed of the native animals to produce crossbreeds that have better potential for milk production."

For instance, the PCC has developed a technology that can produce superior-quality carabaos through artificial means. Latest reports say the center has produced genetically superior water buffaloes.

The male carabao weighs 750 kilograms and counting, while the female carabao yields 17 to 20 liters of milk a day. In comparison, the native carabaos weigh an average of 350 kilograms, while the native dam gives a milk yield of an average of 1.5 liters a day.

According to PCC, carabao's milk is considered the "most complete food" because it contains protein, fat, lactose, vitamins and minerals, and water.

Carabao's milk is richer and creamier than cow or goat's milk due to its high percentage of milk fat, which is also a good source of energy. "The water buffalo milk is considered the finest among dairy animal milk," said Dr. Cruz.

Carabao's milk can also be processed into chocolate-flavored milk, pastilles de leche (milk candy), kesong puti (white cheese), milk-o-jel, condensed milk, cheese spread, ice cream, mozzarella, or rennet (coagulated milk).

Currently, the Philippines imports 98 percent of its milk and other dairy products requirements. Annually, the country spends around US$460 million, making milk the top fourth agricultural import.

"We have been paying the foreign farmers to produce milk for us," the PCC deplores. "If we can only provide our farmers with a more productive and competitive dairy production system, then the amount we are spending for imports would be earned by them instead of the foreign farmers."

The carabao also offers big opportunities for the meat industry. In South American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, the demand for "carabeef" (carabao meat) is growing.

This current demand of carabeef is due to the recent studies, which show that buffaloes are the better source of quality meat than cattle.

Another good thing about carabeef: the meat is produced with fewer hormones or antibiotics. "Carabaos are not raised in mass and are not fed in feedlot such as that done in cattle. Carabaos are raised mainly out of nature's fodder and grain," the PCC explains.

Unlike those in other countries, carabao meat commands lower price in the country because what is being sold are meat coming from old and retired work animals. But with the enactment of the Animal Welfare Act of 1988, however, younger carabaos can now be slaughtered.

Beyond their draft power, carabaos can help generate income and create jobs, PCC's Dr. pointed out, adding that most of the country's carabaos are used mainly for draft purposes in sugarcane plantations and rice and corn farms, and for hauling. The milk, meat, hide and horn businesses from carabaos are still not yet fully developed? he said.