The provincial government of Pangasinan has taken over the dairy farm in Laoac town and plans to develop more products as well as turn it into a farm school.

In an interview on Thursday, Governor Ramon Guico III said the National Dairy Authority (NDA) will provide technical assistance to the province.

“We wanted the target number of heads of cow or carabao to exceed the break-even income of the farm for its maintenance,” he said.

Aside from the usual fresh milk (pasteurized) the farm produces, the provincial government targets to develop other products such as ice cream, yogurt and cheese, among others.

“The milk produced in the farm will be utilized for the feeding program for malnourished children in the province,” Guico said.

He said the farm will also be converted into a farm school.

“We are working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and other agencies to make it a training institution,” he added.

Guico said this move will provide training to the workers and open up opportunities for them to work abroad and uplift the living condition of their families.

As to date, there are 150 heads of carabao being milked on the farm. It was established in 2010 on a five-hectare land in Laoac town.

A memorandum of understanding was signed by the provincial government and local government unit of Laoac for the takeover last week. (PNA)