Dr. Flordeliza Lantican, SEARCA’s VCA project Team Leader, presented the key results and findings of the value chain analysis of carabao’s milk and milk products, and meat and meat products in Luzon, Philippines. The presentation was appropriately scheduled as the first topic of the national carabao conference, which was themed “Celebrating Partnerships in Championing the Carabao Development Program.” Dr. Lantican explained the value chain maps of the carabao products focusing on the roles and linkages of various actors and enablers as well as the key constraints and opportunities for improving the specific value chains. She concluded the presentation by recommending upgrading strategies and interventions and policy recommendations that will enhance the capacity and capability of the industry to increase healthy and productive crossbred carabao population, and produce quality and safe carabao-based milk and meat products responsive to the growing domestic demand. Dr. Bessie M. Burgos, SEARCA Program Head for Research and Development, moderated the open forum for Dr. Lantican’s session.
The First National Carabao Conference was topped by the keynote messages of the Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations on Livestock, Mr. Jose C. Reaño and Congressmen Mark Llandro Mendoza, Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, and Mark Villar of the Lone District of Las Pinas, representing Senator Cynthia Villar, who all underscored the importance of the carabao or the swamp buffalo in Philippine agriculture. Thus the overall sentiment of the industry stakeholders who participated in this momentous event was one of excitement and hope that the upgraded carabao breed, the Philippine’s national animal, will be the ‘saving grace’ of the country’s carabao industry. (Ma. Celeste Molina and Bessie Burgos)
