Director Geoffray Atok of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), based at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), acknowledged the contributions of artificial insemination (AI) technicians in the goal of promoting and strengthening the Carabao Upgrading Program of the government. In his message during the recently conducted AI Forum, Atok emphasized the vital role of AI technicians in delivering agricultural services and in helping carabao entrepreneurs. (Photo courtesy of USM-based DA-PCC)
KABACAN, Cotabato Province (PIA) – Over 100 artificial insemination (AI) technicians from the three regions in Mindanao have exchanged ideas to strengthen innovations on carabao breeding through artificial insemination in a forum held recently at the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) based at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, Cotabato.
The PCC covers the regions of Davao, Soccsksargen, and Maguindanao province in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Center Director Geoffray Atok described artificial insemination, one of PCC’s banner services extended nationwide, as “a reproductive tool used to produce animals with better productivity for milk and meat through harnessing superior genetic materials of the dairy buffalo breed.”
Atok highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen livestock production, especially of large ruminants, which refer to groups of huge animals such as cows, sheep, and buffalos with unique digestive systems that can engulf their food without necessarily chewing it.
“Layon natin na makapagbigay ng konkretong estratehiya upang mas mapadali at mapalakas ang serbisyong AI sa ating nasasakupan,” said Atok, emphasizing the importance of AI, especially when it comes to breeding and genetic improvement now that crossbreeds are in demand in the market.
[Our objective is to provide a concrete strategy to facilitate and strengthen the AI service in our areas of concern.]
The Philippine Carabao Center, located at the University of Southern Mindanao, gathered artificial insemination (AI) technicians from its three priority regions in Mindanao in a forum geared toward discussing the best practices and new technologies that can be used to further improve the AI processes and help carabao entrepreneurs in the three regions boost production and income. (Photo courtesy of USM-based DA-PCC)
According to Atok, USM, the host university, has also strengthened its efforts to help the PCC, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, in its carabao upgrading program.
He said the Farmer’s Field School project of the university was established to provide necessary skills and information to large ruminant producers to increase their livelihood sustainability and profitability.
Atok said that they are also planning to build a “liquid nitrogen plant” in the center to intensify the “preservation of quality semen” to increase the AI conception rate.
The official said that they envisioned an innovative approach "to attaining value creation for improved productivity, profitability, and sustainability" at the center.
Atok explained that the goal aims to align the aspirations of carapreneurs (carabao entrepreneurs) with a life that is comfortable and secure with the government’s AmBisyon Natin 2040.
“We shall deliver vital services and work efficiently via our collaborations and partnerships with farmers, LGUs, cooperatives, government line agencies, and other academic institutions, especially the University of Southern Mindanao, the home of PCC in this part of the region,” Atok articulated.
Artificial insemination (AI) technicians in the municipality of Kabacan, who recently underwent a basic training course on artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis in large ruminants, had put their knowledge to the test, trying to impregnate a female carabao by applying the new learning they acquired from the Philippine Carabao Center. (Photo courtesy of USM-based DA-PCC)
Meanwhile, Irene John Nidoy, a newly trained AI technician from the municipal government of Kabacan, thanked the PCC for the opportunity to avail himself of the “training course on artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis in large ruminants” held at the USM Center.
“Mas lalawak ang aming serbisyo, bilang agricultural technician, para sa mga magsasaka sa bayan,” he said, as he vowed to value and share his knowledge with other livestock farmers in his hometown.
[Our services, as agricultural technicians, will expand even more for farmers in our town.]
Nidoy added that the learnings he acquired in the training will be a great help for him to improve his capacity as an AI technician, resolving to challenge himself to do more and help more carapreneurs, especially in his municipality. (SJDM - PIA Cotabato Province)
