THE Department of Agriculture (DA) Cordillera is ready to convert the Baguio Dairy Farm into a state-of-the-art animal breeding and research center.
Director Cameron Odsey, DA Cordillera director, said the conversion however may still not materialize because of the continuing land issue.
"We have two strategies, one is if ever the case would go in favor of the government, we are ready to develop it as a demonstration farm. The other part of the strategy is to actually encourage small farms or demonstration farms in the provinces and actually we have established one now by a partner local government in the municipality of Bauko," Odsey said.
He added there is a challenge of turning the Baguio Dairy Farm into a demonstration farm for cattle raising and milk production since the area is located in a cold environment not suitable for raising cattle.
The small farm currently has a barn and personnel who manage 10 cattle's, which are now producing milk. It also partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) milk feeding program for children as its market.
"DSWD has a budget to acquire milk, instead of buying commercially produced milk, they now buy the produce of the LGU. We also have the municipality of Barlig wherein the farmers have undergone training as a requirement, aside from other pending requests for cattle. We presently have 100 heads at the dairy farm which will be given to groups who would pass and qualify," Odsey added.
Groups must qualify with the requirements set by the DA and would be included in the yearly allocation of cattle.
Although a land case is still pending in the court, DA continues to remind the people the dairy farm is not for sale and it is still owned by the government.