By Kenneth Marcos 
Early morning at Ubay Stock Farm in Bohol, dairy farmers check their buffalo herds, a scene repeated across Central Visayas thanks to decades of support from the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC). As the agency celebrates its 33rd anniversary, the Ubay center stands out as a model for advancing the carabao industry and improving rural livelihoods.
Since its establishment in 1992 as one of the agency’s first six regional centers, DA-PCC at USF has driven carabao development across Cebu, Bohol, and Masbate. Its programs have helped farmers and cooperatives establish thriving dairy and carabao-based enterprises, combining research, training, and market development.
In the early years, under Director Dr. Caro B. Salces, the center distributed dairy buffalo modules to cooperatives such as Ubay Dairy Cooperative and Compostela Dairy Farmers Cooperative. Strong support from local government leaders, including former governors Edgar M. Chatto and Arthur C. Yap, integrated dairy development into provincial programs, creating school-based milk-feeding initiatives and community support projects.
Research and innovation remain at the heart of the center’s work. Over the years, it has conducted 25 studies on breeding, animal health, nutrition, and forage development. Its pioneering reproductive management techniques, including povidone-iodine uterine flushing, have improved insemination success and have been adopted nationwide. Through the Carabao Upgrading Program, the center delivered 87,726 artificial insemination services, producing 34,442 genetically improved calves, while farmer-managed bulls provided an additional 16,584 breeding services.
The economic impact is significant. Since 2004, milk production from the center’s programs has reached 3.2 million liters, valued at PHP445.7 million at current market prices. Commercialization of dairy products since 2006 has generated over PHP460 million in sales, with cooperatives contributing more than three-quarters of this total. Average annual income per farmer rose from PHP10,000 to PHP44,000, while 363 jobs were created in production, processing, and marketing.
DA-PCC at USF continues to expand its network. The center supports 22 cooperatives and associations, covering over 200,000 individuals. It has facilitated 11 Dairy Box outlets and is developing additional infrastructure projects, including a retort facility in San Pascual, Bohol, and Microlab and Kardeli facilities. Cooperatives have also secured PHP54 million in funding from government and international agencies for equipment, starter kits, and market facilities.
Training is a key focus. The center has become a hub for artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis, training 600 technicians, including village-based AI workers and local government personnel.
Partnerships with government and community agencies have strengthened the impact. Collaboration with the Provincial Government of Bohol led to the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan and the Bohol Dairy Council. Annual events like the Bohol Dairy Festival celebrate industry achievements and promote local products nationwide. Convergence projects with DepEd and DSWD have provided milk-feeding programs for nearly 250,000 children, while ensuring a steady market for farmers’ milk.
The center’s service excellence is reflected in awards received by both its staff and farmer-clients. Recognitions include Outstanding Dairy Farmers, Outstanding Bull Handlers, and top-performing cooperatives. The center itself was named Best Performing Center in 2017 and has been ISO 9001 certified since 2012, underscoring its commitment to quality and accountability.
Decades of research, innovation, and farmer empowerment at DA-PCC at USF continue to transform the carabao industry in the Visayas. Its work shows that carabao-based enterprises are not just about livestock—they are engines of rural development, improving livelihoods and sustaining communities.
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