PCC expands carabao upgrading program to Ilocos Norte LGUs to boost dairy income

AGRI-NEWS | Farming Posted on 2025-10-06 15:42:58

LAOAG CITY – The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) is expanding its carabao upgrading program to more towns in Ilocos Norte in partnership with local government units (LGUs) to strengthen rural livelihoods and increase dairy production in the province.

In an interview in Batac City on Monday, PCC Director Joel Cabading reported that carabao milk production in the Ilocos Region has doubled in the past three years, rising from 50,000 liters per year to 100,000 liters as of October 2025.

Cabading attributed the growth to the national government’s genetic improvement program, which produced 145,181 genetically improved calves in the last five years.

“About 90 percent of these calves are for milk and meat production, while the remaining 10 percent are used for draft power,” he explained.

In Ilocos Norte, carabaos have been distributed to farmers’ organizations in Dingras and Badoc, where members are now producing milk for local markets.

To help farmers sustain their gains, the PCC also assists in product marketing by linking producers with institutional buyers and government feeding programs such as the Department of Education’s School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP).

According to PCC data, these programs generated PHP2.4 billion in sales from 2019 to 2024 under the SBFP and PHP504 million under the SFP from 2020 to 2024 nationwide.

With growing market demand, more LGUs are supporting the initiative. The Pagudpud local government, for instance, purchased 20 female crossbred buffaloes to start dairy farming in Barangay Caparispisan, with 100 more buffaloes to be provided by the Philippine Coconut Authority under the coconut levy fund.

Cabading also cited an ongoing livestock enterprise and economic development project in Dingras, involving 20 buffaloes to enhance milk output in partnership with the municipal government and the Mariano Marcos State University.

The farm-gate price of raw carabao milk has risen from PHP63.27 per liter in 2020 to PHP84.87, reflecting the growing demand for carabao milk and value-added dairy products, now commonly featured in trade fairs and Kadiwa stores.

NPO News Team | PNA-PR

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