City of San Fernando, Pampanga – The Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) approved three I-REAP subproject proposals in Central Luzon, with a total project cost of P52,935,670.46 on February 7.

The Establishment of Nucleus Breeder Farm for the Production of Breeder Bucks and Does for Meat and Dairy Type Goats in the Province of Tarlac seeks to upgrade the existing goat stocks in the province to help farmers gain higher income through added weight and quality of their goats.

The business plan for the said enterprise was presented by Mr. Sol Gonzales, Chairman of Abagon Compact Farm and Seed Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

“The enterprise seeks to sell 101 does and 101 bucks during its first year of operation. Likewise, this will also help the cooperative lessen its cost of production during the first year of operation,” he said.

“Culls and mestizo will be sold at Php150.00 per kilogram live weight amounting to Php6,750.00 averaging to 45 kgs per goat and Php5,000.00, respectively. The average income for the sale of goat for meat from meztiso is Php506,850.17 and eventually increase for 10% every year,” added Gonzales.

On the other hand, dairy production was seen to have good potential for the enterprise. An average of Php2,041,653.46 income will be generated from the sale of goat’s milk in ten years’ time.

Another proposal is the Consolidation and Marketing of Goats with Multiplier Farm and Contract Growing in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija as presented by Dr. Maria Katherine Matias, Veterinary of LGU Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija.

The proposed project of Bonifacio Multi-Purpose Cooperative will focus on consolidation and marketing of native goats and on the production of F2 and F1 breeder goats.

“A Livestock Trading Post will be established as a center of consolidation and marketing and will supply native goats to restaurants. The production component has two enterprises: the Multiplier Farm and the Contract growing Enterprise,” she said.

The Multiplier Farm will be producing Upgraded F2 goats and the Contract growing enterprise will produce F1 and meztiso goats.

Lastly, the Establishment of Peeled Cassava Processing Center and Custom Service Provider in Pampanga will focus on the processing and marketing of peeled cassava for food processors in Mega Manila (Laguna, Navotes and Malabon). The business plan for the enterprise proposal was presented by Ms. Cloie Keirk Pineda, Manager of Bonifacio Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

Located at Purok 6 Calantas, Floridablanca, Pampanga, it will include a mini tractor for land preparation of cassava production and machineries and equipment needed for processing of peeled cassava. A processing facility will also be constructed as a venue for production of peeled cassava which will be built in accordance with the simultaneous activities for the project including peeling, washing and packaging.

“In order to have efficient marketing and delivery of products in time, 1 unit elf truck is requested.  It will be used for the daily hauling of fresh cassava from the farms to the cooperative. It will haul a total of 100 kg of cassava everyday as required volume to be processed,” Pineda said.

The World Bank-funded Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), through its I-REAP Component, encourages different proficient cooperatives of the region in having extra income and profit-making through investments of priority commodity value chains under the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Plan and the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan. (Dianne Lapuz, DA-PRDP RPCO3 InfoACE)