BATANGAS / ORIENTAL MINDORO – Eighteen farmer-beneficiaries from Batangas and Oriental Mindoro received 119 Anglo Nubian dairy goats from the third batch of the Dairy Goat Establishment Program supported by Senator Cynthia Villar.

The farmer-beneficiaries are members of the following organizations; Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kanayunan at Patubig (SAMAKAPA) in Balayan, Batangas; Guinhawa Farmers Association (GFA) and Lobo Irrigators Services Association (LISA) in Tuy, Batangas; and Bagorra Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (BAFARCO) in Oriental Mindanao.

Almer Abe, President of Guinhawa Farmers Association expressed his gratitude to Senator Villar and the National Dairy Authority for the Dairy Goat Establishment Program.

“Napakasaya dahil isa kami sa mga nabiyayaan ng mga kambing. Malaking tulong ito hindi lamang sa aming kooperatiba kung hindi pati na rin sa buong komunindad. Maraming makikinabang sa mga dairy goat lalo na kapag gatasan na,” said Abe.

(I am happy to have been selected as one of the recipients of dairy goats. Not only does this benefit the cooperative, but the entire community as well. Many individuals will benefit from the dairy goats, especially during the milking season.)

Abe is a breeder of native animals. The dairy goats he received will be used to improve his farm as he ventures into dairy. He views dairying as an additional income source for the cooperative and a long-term investment opportunity.

“Ang plano ko ay umpisahan ang pagdedairy sa aming barangay, mahirap sa umpisa pero naniniwala ako na kapag nakita ng mga kabaranggay ko na umuunlad ang dairy sa amin kooperatiba ay maengganyo sila at sasali na rin. Gusto ko makilala ang aming bayan sa aming mga produktong dairy,” said Abe.

(I want to kick start dairy production in our barangay, it is hard at first but I believe that when people see that it is profitable, they will be enticed to join us. I want our town to be known for its dairy products.)

“Isang malaking pasasalamat kay Senator Cynthia Villar para sa kanyang programa at sa National Dairy Authority na laging handang tumulong, isang tawag lang sa kanila at hindi kami binabalewala,” he added.

(I would like to thank Senator Cynthia Villar for her program and the National Dairy Authority for their consistent assistance. They are one call away and do not disregard us.)

Prior to distribution, recipients underwent a series of evaluations and trainings on Dairy Goat Husbandry to ensure that they will be able to provide necessary goat management abilities.