Korea extends $3-M grant for Philippine Carabao Center

MANILA, Philippines - The Korean government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is extending a $3-million grant to the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to fund a three-year project aimed at increasing the production and propagation of upgraded carabaos.

PCC director Libertado Cruz said the project, called “Enhancing Livestock Sector Performance in the Philippines,” aims to establish an institutionalized electronic data capture system that would facilitate genetic data evaluation and analysis, and create a unified web-based genetic information system.

The project also aims to intensify PCC’s artificial insemination (AI) services and use of embryo technologies to produce superior breeds of carabaos.

This entails upgrading the facilities and services of the PCC National Bull Farm and Semen Laboratory in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.

The project’s records of discussions (ROD) were signed Nov. 5 by DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and KOICA resident representative and team leader Jinoh Kim.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, and Dr. Cruz witnessed the ceremony.

Dr. Cruz said the PCC’s ‘cryobanking’ program will be provided with modern storage equipment to conserve genetic materials of selected livestock species over a longer period.

The project would also enhance the competencies of PCC along the disciplines of breeding, genomics, bioinformatics, biotechnology and related fields by training scientists in advanced technologies in Korea.

Dr. Liza Battad, PCC chief for planning and special projects, said the signed ROD would be submitted to the KOICA headquarters in Seoul and then returned to the Philippines for the final discussion on the details of the implementation plan with the KOICA technical team and the PCC.

The project would be formally launched after the signing of the ‘note verbale’ between the embassies of Korea and the Philippines before year ends.

“By improving efficiencies and establishing a systematic performance evaluation, genetic gains best redounds to farmers through more animals, increased milk production, and thus more income,” Battad said.