The Bonifacio Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s (BMPC) dream of having their town hailed as the goat capital of the region was re-ignited as the DA-PRDP turned over Php6.2 million worth of goat farm facilities and awarded PhP3.5 million worth of goats and inputs on May 31, 2022 at Brgy. Bonifacio, Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija.

From having some of their members’ homes serve as their office and stock room, the cooperative now has their own facilities, made possible through the subproject implementation funded by the DA-PRDP (60%) and the national (20%) and provincial (20%) government.

“Nagsimula po kami sa extension lang po ng bahay ng dating manager… at dumating nga po itong proyektong PRDP, na sinalihan po naming at nai-grant naman po, kaya po ngayon, eto na po kami; isang recipient ng isang napakagandang proyekto ng Philippine Rural Development Project. (We started inside the extension of the house of our former manager… and now came the PRDP, which we applied for and granted, this is us now: a recipient of a very beautiful project of the Philippine Rural Development Project)”, said BMPC Chairperson Marilou Agustin as she recalled their coop’s humble beginnings.

DA-PRDP Regional Project Director, Dr. Eduardo Lapuz Jr. emphasized the significance of the newly awarded goat farm as the country continues to suffer shortage on meat products including goat meat and asks the coop members to maintain its sustainability in order to achieve their goals.

As part of the Php18.5 million total worth subproject entitled “Consolidation and Marketing of Goats with Multiplier Farm and Contact Growing”, the components inaugurated on this day were the multiplier farm, trading post, an office, and a stock room.

Meanwhile, the first batch of goats were delivered that will be part of a quality breeding stock that consists of upgraded F1 bucks and does, upgraded F2 bucks, Landborrn Purebreed Boer bucks, and native goats. Finally, biologics, feeds, and other inputs were received by the beneficiary cooperative as well.

This subproject also serves as another milestone for the cooperative due to the establishment of its Livestock Trading Post which is the first of its kind in the province of Nueva Ecija. It will be the center of consolidation and marketing of goats providing quality buck service to upgrade the breeds of native goats.

Also present in the ceremony were Cuyapo Mayor Florida Esteban, Provincial Project Management and Implementation Unit (PPMIU) Head, Dr. Joebeat Agliam, Provincial Agriculturist Bernardo Valdez, and the Municipal Agriculture Office headed by Orlando Eramos. (Ram Bill Bautista, InfoACE RPCO3)