Skip to main content

SEARCA outlines proposed competitiveness directions for the carabao industry based on VCA analysis

  • 10 December 2015

Dr. Flor Lantican with PCC Acting Executive Director Dr. Arnel del Barrio and Conference guests of honor.

MUÑOZ, Philippines – The value chain analysis (VCA) project on carabao and carabao-based products, which is being implemented by SEARCA with funding from the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), generated a lot of positive feedback and appreciation from PCC and the participants of the First National Carabao Conference held on 3-4 December 2015. The Conference, which was convened by PCC, was attended by more than 300 key players of the carabao industry including policy makers, farmers’ associations and cooperatives, researchers and scientists, the private sector, and other actors along the value chains of carabao and carabao-based products.

Dr. Flordeliza Lantican, SEARCA’s VCA project Team Leader, presented the key results and findings of the value chain analysis of carabao’s milk and milk products, and meat and meat products in Luzon, Philippines. The presentation was appropriately scheduled as the first topic of the national carabao conference, which was themed “Celebrating Partnerships in Championing the Carabao Development Program.” Dr. Lantican explained the value chain maps of the carabao products focusing on the roles and linkages of various actors and enablers as well as the key constraints and opportunities for improving the specific value chains. She concluded the presentation by recommending upgrading strategies and interventions and policy recommendations that will enhance the capacity and capability of the industry to increase healthy and productive crossbred carabao population, and produce quality and safe carabao-based milk and meat products responsive to the growing domestic demand. Dr. Bessie M. Burgos, SEARCA       Program Head for Research and Development, moderated the open forum for Dr. Lantican’s session.

The First National Carabao Conference was topped by the keynote messages of the Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations on Livestock, Mr. Jose C. Reaño and Congressmen Mark Llandro Mendoza, Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, and Mark Villar of the Lone District of Las Pinas, representing Senator Cynthia Villar, who all underscored the importance of the carabao or the swamp buffalo in Philippine agriculture. Thus the overall sentiment of the industry stakeholders who participated in this momentous event was one of excitement and hope that the upgraded carabao breed, the Philippine’s national animal, will be the ‘saving grace’ of the country’s carabao industry. (Ma. Celeste Molina and Bessie Burgos)

Dr. Lantican presenting the results of the Carabao VCA project

Dr. Burgos moderating the VCA session