By Erwin Nicavera/Philippine News Agency
BACOLOD CITY — The Negros Occidental Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm (PLBCDF) was recognized as one of the country’s outstanding dairy farms in the Gawad Dairy 2019.
The award, bestowed by the National Dairy Authority, was received by provincial veterinarian Renante Decena; Farm Management Division head Placeda Lemana; and PLBCDF manager Joselito Jaballa during the awarding rites held at the Agricultural Training Institute Rural Development Center in Quezon City on Thursday.
The dairy farm, being run by the Provincial Veterinary Office, was the lone awardee from the Visayas out of the 10 recipients this year and the only government-owned and -operated farm to be cited nationwide.
The PLBCDF, located in Barangay La Granja, La Carlota City, was cited as among the dairy farms in the Philippines that adhere to the Food Safety Act to ensure the production of safe and quality milk.
Established in 2001, the facility produces fresh milk for pre- and grade school children and for breeder animals of component local government units in the province.
Decena said the project also aims to encourage Negrenses to shift to milk from other beverages.
“This is done by introducing fresh milk taste to school children and transfer dairy and breeding technology to the backyard level as a source of additional income,” he added.
Decena pointed out that livelihood opportunities are created through the processing of value-added dairy products and livestock dispersal.
The PLBCDF production includes fresh milk and yogurt in chocolate, ube, buko pandan, strawberry, and mango flavors.
The dairy farm produces an average of 100 liters of milk daily from 16 cows on the milking line.
Decena said the dairy farm was one of the pilot projects of the late governor Joseph Marañon under his seven-point agenda for food sufficiency and poverty alleviation, which was expanded by the administration of his brother, incumbent Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.
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