Farmers in Dingras, Ilocos Norte have begun expanding dairy farming as a sustainable source of income through a government-supported dairy buffalo development program that aims to increase milk production while improving livelihoods in rural communities.
Joel Cabading, head of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, told the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday that a total of 54 dairy buffaloes are now being taken care of by at least two government-assisted farmers associations in Barangay San Marcelino, Dingras, Ilocos Norte.
These are the members of the Timpuyog de San Marcelino Sustainable Livelihood Program Association and the Ka-Saka Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA) which have shifted from relying mainly on rice farming to dairy buffalo raising.
According to the first batch of recipients of the PCC-entrusted 29 female dairy buffaloes in April, dairy farming provides a more stable and regular source of income through the sale of fresh carabao milk.
To further strengthen the industry, the PCC entrusted additional 25 female dairy buffaloes worth PHP2 million on July 24 to the second group — Ka-Saka SLPA to boost local milk production and generate sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers.
The expanded dairy herd through a breeding program under a social contract with the farmers’ associations, likewise, support nutrition and food security through greater availability of fresh carabao milk, Cabading added.
In 2025, the Ka-Saka SLPA received PHP500,000 in livelihood assistance through the Office of Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Eugenio Angelo Marcos Barba.
“This project aims to empower rural families through sustainable agriculture and enterprise development while advancing Dingras as a hub for bufallo-based livelihood initiatives,”said Barba during the turnover of the project.
Prior to the turnover, farmer-beneficiaries were trained on dairy buffalo management, along with continuing technical and marketing assistance from the PCC to ensure the long-term success of the project.
The center purchases the milk produced by the farmers and helps them connect with institutional buyers and government feeding programs, creating a reliable market for their products.
According to Cabading, the program has already transformed the lives of several beneficiaries in the village.
Edelberto Reyes Jr., president of the Timpuyog de San Marcelino SLPA, told the PNA in an earlier interview that a single PCC-entrusted carabao given to him in 2022 helped him build a house and sustain his family’s daily needs.
Reyes expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the PCC, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the local government in strengthening their livelihoods.
With help from the municipal government, the Philippine Carabao Center, and partner agencies, Cabading said Dingras is emerging as a model community for dairy farming in Ilocos Norte, demonstrating how livestock diversification can improve rural incomes while strengthening the province’s local dairy industry. (PNA)
