Miguel’s Dairy Farm in San Jose, Nueva Ecija, aims to produce quality carabao milk, increase the number of livestock, further develop its family business, and preserve the legacy of its founder, the late Miguel G. Alfonso.
Alfonso founded the farm on June 2, 2015, but has exhibited an interest in farming long before by growing various vegetables and selling them to the market. He passed this passion for agriculture to his children, Miccaela N. Alfonso and Michael Dean Alfonso, who now manage the farm.
“Lumaki ako sa pamilya ng mga magsasaka. Maaga akong namulat sa buhay bukid at nasaksihan ko kung gaano ito kahirap at isa ito sa mga naging inspirasyon ko para pahalagahan at ipagpatuloy ang naiwan ng aking yumaong ama (I grew up in a family of farmers. I became aware of farm life early and I witnessed how difficult it was and it was one of the things that inspired me to appreciate and continue what my late father left behind),” his daughter Miccaela told Manila Standard Agriculture.
Through the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and its program geared toward improving the dairy industry, the patriarch received one dairy carabao as a beneficiary, which paved the way for his dairy business and met his family’s needs.
After the farm’s establishment, Alfonso received nominations for Outstanding Farmer under the PCC’s “Family Module Category” and became one of the top dairy producers in the Eastern Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
His daughter now finds satisfaction in seeing their business flourish, especially when their dairy carabaos multiply, broadening their opportunities for harvest to ensure a lucrative income.