ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — The campaign to promote artificial insemination (AI) in the Visayas was conducted by the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Carabao Center in Barangays Binuntucan in Pontevedra town and Mainit in the municipality of Cuartero, both in Capiz, last Oct. 29 and 30 to bring the benefits of the AI technology directly to carabao farmers and technicians.
The campaign dubbed “#OhmAIKalabaw! (OMK!) aims to increase farmers’ awareness on AI both as a reproductive technology tool for upgrading the breed of carabaos and a reliable income source for farmers and AI technicians.
The OMK! campaign symbolizes the commitment of DA-PCC to professionalize AI as a viable source of income for our carabao farmers through the expansion and development of breeds of carabao,” DA-PCC Executive Director Dr. Liza Battad said as she graced the OMK! activation program in the Visayas cluster.
Led by the Knowledge Management Division and the DA-PCC at West Visayas State University (DA-PCC at WVSU), a total of 280 attendees from the said areas, consisting of carabao farmers, AI technicians, and carabao-based cooperatives, attended the campaign.
During the two-day activities, Dr. Edwin Atabay, DA-PCC’s OIC deputy executive director and national AI and Bull Entrustment program coordinator, shared insights on breeding practices to boost dairy production while Dr. Myrtel Alcazar, officer-in-charge center director of DA-PCC at WVSU, highlighted best practices in increasing AI efficiency.
“Layon ng OMK!, isang kampanyang isinasagawa ng DA-Philippine Carabao Center, na palaganapin ang serbisyong AI sa buong bansa at pataasin ang populasyon ng mga kalabaw na may mataas na lahi,” DA-PCC OIC KMD Chief and OMK! Campaign Program Director Rowena Galang said.
(The OMK! Campaign of the DA – PCC intends to promote AI services throughout the country and increase the population of high-breed carabaos.)
“In this way, milk production in the country will increase, and industries based on various other products from carabaos will grow,” she added.
Local chief executives Henry Tumlos and Tito Mayo of Pontevedra and Cuartero towns, respectively, expressed their support in the campaign as they underscored the potential of the local government unit as well as AI technology in the breeding of carabaos.
The OMK! campaign was first launched in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat last October 3. It is also set to be launched in the province of Isabela for Luzon before the year ends. (AGP/AAL/PIA Capiz/with reports from DA-PCC/FJP and MC)
