Miccaela N. Alfonso, 28, is the daughter of the late Miguel G. Alfonso, a dairy farmer who established Miguel’s Dairy Farm in San Jose, Nueva Ecija.
Together with her brother, Michael Dean Alfonso, they manage the farm and keep their father’s legacy of carabao dairy farming alive and well.
In Miguel’s Dairy Farm, they raise Bulgarian and Brazilian buffaloes for milk production. During peak seasons, the carabaos can produce between 20 to 35 liters and 10 to 15 liters during the dry season.
Meanwhile, the Alfonso siblings take necessary measures to ensure their farm’s efficiency and livestock’s safety.
“Sinisigurado namin na nasu-sustain ang pagpapakain at pagbibigay ng tamang nutrition, bitamina, at pagpupurga sa mga alagang kalabaw. Sinisigurado din namin na palaging malinis ang koral at ang kalinisan ng paggagatas ng kalabaw (We make sure that feeding is sustainable and providing proper nutrition, vitamins, and cleaning to domestic buffaloes. We also ensure that the coral is always clean and the buffalo milking is hygienic),” Alfonso said.
Alfonso advises aspiring livestock farmers who want to venture into carabao dairy farming to have dedication, determination, and patience.
“Isapuso natin palagi ang ginagawa natin at magkaaron ng focus sa negosyong nasimulan (Let’s always take what we do to heart and focus on the business that has been started),” she said. Patricia Taculao