MAGTATAYO si Senator Cynthia A. Villar ng Dairy School sa Villar Farm School compound na nasa Bacoor-Las Pinas site.
Ito ay upang matulungang tumaas at lumago ang dairy industry na magreresulta sa malusog na bansa dahil sa magiging abot-kaya ang gatas ng mga Pilipino,
Binigyang diin ni Villar, chairperson ng Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, magkakaloob ang bubuksang Dairy School ng libreng carabao at dairy training program sa lahat ng magsasaka at industry stakeholders.
“This would stimulate milk production and dairying in cooperation with the Philippoine Carabao Center and the National Dairy Authority,” ayon kay Villar.
Inihayag ng senador na sinimulan na ang konstruksyon ng Dairy School. Pinopondohan ito ng Villar SIPAG Foundation.
Bilang masugid na tagapagtaguyod ng agrikultura, sinabi ni Villar na hihikayatin nila ang mga magsasaka na mag-dairy production na maaari ring pagkakitaan.
Sa sandaling ma-develop, sinabi niya na magbibigay ito ng pangkabuhayan sa farming communities.
“And if we are to source our fresh milk and fresh milk-based products from local dairy farmers and cooperatives, we are creating markets, which, if sustained, will eventually develop and boost our local dairy industry,” giit ni Villar.
Mabibigyan din ng dairy school ng access ang mga magsasaka ng mas magandang teknolohiya at production strategies sa pamamagitan ng community organization, marketing ng carabao-based products at pagbuo ng demand sa milk commodities.
“We intend to equip farmers in dairy production with knowledge and information on modern technology so they can “produce more and earn more,” binigyan diin ni Villar.
“These would help address the low quality and low production problems, normally associated with small-hold dairy farming and help farmers access the commercial market,” dagdag pa niya.
Ayon kay Villar, meron tayong 2.84 milyong kalabaw sa bansa base sa total carabao inventory hanggang Enero 2021.
Aniya, mas mababa ito ng 0.9 percent kesa sa 2.87 milyong kalabaw sa kaparehong period noong 2020.
Sanhi ng mahinang produksyon, sinabi ni Villar na inaangkat ng Pilipinas ang 99 percent na pangangailangan nito sa gatas.
“With only one percent production of the demand in the Philippines and 99% of milk imported from other countries, “sabi ni Villar.
Dahil dito, hindi na nakakainom ng gatas, na maraming nutrisyon, ang mga Pilipino lalo na ang mga bata.
“Milk is essential to Filipino diet to ensure the growth and development of our children. Studies show that the utilization of the carabao’s milk for household consumption appears to be feasible and promising,” ayon pa sa senador.
“But with our dependence on imported milk, poor families cannot afford to give their children milk that will greatly help in their proper nutrition and academic performance in school,” ayon kay Villar, kasabay ng pagsasabing “foreign dairy is too expensive for the masses.”
Subalit naniniwala siya na makakamit ng bansa ang sustainability sa dairy production.
Aniya, kailangan lamang na palakasin ito at himukin ang mga magsasaka ng mag dairy production at kunin ang mga tulong ng Philippine Dairy agencies at iba pang sector.
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