Saturday, May 10, 2008 Dairy farmers vow to find new markets By Suhaini Nasher D. Pagadilan and Johaira M. Musor
"THIS is the most wonderful congress ever been held so far."
Antonio Manikan, the national vice-chair of the Dairy Confederations of the Philippines, exclaimed during the Dairy Congress 2008 at Lim Ket Kai Atrium.
"The participants came from all over the Philippines," Manikan added.
The purpose of the dairy congress this year is to find more markets for dairy farmers and their products.
"The problem is that farmers do not know where to bring their products," commented Manikan.
Along this line, Manikan said the congress is just a part of their continuing efforts to lobby small dairy farmers to big dairy companies who are able to provide the necessary technical and skills support for the farmers.
In 1996, Republic Act (RA) 7884 was passed to provide a comprehensive amount of funding to support the various programs of the dairy industry in the country.
Under the law, P200 million was supposed to be allotted as initial funding and another P100 million as yearly follow-up financial support.
But Manikan disclosed that even the initial funding was not released.
However, he said one of the breakthroughs is that people were able to recognize the potentials of carabao and goat livestock to uplift the condition of the country's dairy industry.
"Mas mataas yung nutritional content ng gatas galing sa kalabaw," informed Noel Paraguas, manager of the Philippine Carabao Center for the state-owned Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Bukidnon.
The center was a project of former President Joseph Estrada who graced the event last Thursday as a keynote speaker.
Back in 1981, the center initiated crossbreeding of carabaos. In 1993, it became a full-pledged agency that promotes carabao livestock, not merely as an animal limited to plowing task, but a potential contributor to the dairy industry.
By virtue of crossbreeding through artificial insemination, female carabaos become dual type animals -- meaning they can both plow the fields and provide quality milk.
The Philippine Carabao Center primarily promotes the creation of dairy cooperatives to prepare them for bigger dairy enterprises through technical support.
The seven-point agenda presented by Manikan introduced the various challenges in improving the dairy industry in the country.
Among the issues addressed were quality herd buildup, genetic improvement programs, quality standard system, generic marketing, strengthening cooperative structures and career development and professionalism.
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