It’s just the first month of the year but the Samahang Pangkaunlaran
ng Magsasaka sa Calancuasan Irrigators Association Corporation (SPMCIAC)
in Calancuasan Norte, Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija has already begun to reap the
rewards of their carapreneurship endeavors after the buffaloes owned by
six of its members gave birth in January.
This event gave inspiration to the members of the association to
actively participate in seminars and training sessions being conducted
by the DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Central Luzon State University
(DA-PCC at CLSU).
“Hinihikayat ko silang dumalo sa mga trainings at seminars upang mas
lumalim pa ang kaalaman nila sa wastong pangangalaga ng gatasang kalabaw
at kung ano pang mga dapat at hindi dapat gawin sa pag-aalaga,” said
Lourdes Fontanilla, chairperson of SPMCIAC.
Anthony Rodico, one of the six farmers, is happy that he is now living
his dream as a dairy farmer.
“Pangarap na natupad! Maraming salamat sa DA-PCC sa CLSU at binigyang
pansin nila ang aming kahilingan na magkaroon ng gatasang kalabaw dahil
inakala namin noon na wala na kaming pag-asang magkaroon ng gatasang
kalabaw. Salamat po sa tiwala. Ito ay amin pang pararamihin,” Rodico
said.
Like Anthony, his fellow farmer Florante Presto conveyed the same story
of gratitude.
“Taos-pusong pasasalamat sa ahensya dahil nabigyan nila ng katuparan
ang pangarap ng aming pamilya na magkaroon ng ganitong kabuhayan. Amin
po itong payayabungin,” Florante shared.
The other farmers who also had the same experience with Anthony and
Florante are Artemio Ventura, Benigno dela Cruz, Allan Valdez, and
Loreto Adriano.
The association was established on August 23, 2019, with 300 members.
The DA-PCC at CLSU remains dedicated to assisting farmers in Region III.
This exemplifies the agency’s commitment to advancing the Carabao
Development Program (CDP).