DAPITAN CITY, June 27 (PIA) - There is more to the Carabao as a symbolic animal of the Philippines. Aside from its well-known representation of the Filipino's hard work and perseverance, to the farmers in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, it is business and a means of livelihood.

Carabao industry experts, scientists, champion farmers, together with the local government unit of Dapitan and dairy cooperatives of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur convened recently for the Mindanao leg of the "Cara-Ugnayan" held here at the San Pedro Livelihood Training Center.

In his welcome message, Dapitan City Agriculturist Cyril said "we very much appreciate the initiative of the PCC in conducting this activity here in Dapitan to benefit our Carabao farmers especially in improving their knowledge on the production of Carabao milk and its marketing."

Zamboanga del Norte is among the only three areas in Mindanao with an existing DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Mindanao Livestock Production Complex (DA-PCC at MPLC) located at Kalawit town.

Noel Implan, carabao farmer from Sindangan town, shared how his life change from someone who is earning an average income of Php5,000 monthly as a gardener to Php20,000 now after he engaged in dairying.

"I was able to renovate my house, buy a brand-new motorcycle and home appliances, open a savings account, and expand my vegetable garden. I am very happy and proud to be able to provide education for my children," he said.

Noel is among the "Carapreneurs" who shared their testimonies in the Cara-Ugnayan.

Best practices shared zeroed in on carabao farming as an additional source of income; that there are business opportunities in dairying accross the value chain; and that this will promote improved health by making locally-produced milk more accessible, among others.

"Cara-Ugnayan" is spearheaded by the Knowledge Management Division-Applied Communication Section (KMD-ACS) of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in collaboration with the DA-PCC at Mindanao Livestock Production Complex (DA-PCC at MLPC).

It serves as a venue for all stakeholders of the Carabao industry to freely interact, exchange, and share knowledge with members of the media the best practices in carabao-based production systems and success stories of industry partners and other stakeholders, and establish continuing rapport with the media for information dissemination of timely and relevant developments in the Carabao Development Program (CDP). (EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)