Some farmers in Nueva Ecija have been tapped to supply agricultural products for the "milkybun" production that aims to feed hundreds of schoolchildren in the province.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has signed a partnership agreement with the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) to implement a feeding program intended for the children in Nueva Ecija through the Milkybun Production Center.
Milkybun is an enhanced nutribun where every bun is equivalent to the nutrition of one glass of milk.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Jocelyn Ramones said the services of the Catalanacan Multipurpose Cooperative are being tapped to run the processing center and provide the requirements for the milkybun production.
The PCC said aside from providing the children with nutritious food, the project aims to increase the yield of carabao’s milk and improve farmers’ income.
DAR Secretary John Castriciones pointed out that the feeding program manifests farmers’ important role in food supply especially during this pandemic.
"A country cannot survive without the farmers and it is just appropriate that we give them our all-out support in helping them build the nation," Castriciones said.
The signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was implemented under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty Program (EPAHPP).
DAR Undersecretary Emily Padila said EPAHPP is a government initiative addressing hunger and poverty through the synergy and convergence of essential services of the government agencies.
Under the program, government institutions converge to support poor people in the countryside, which also includes feeding programs for school and severely malnourished individuals and provision of community affordable meals for workers and laborers.
EPAHPP is a government’s initiative that aims to eradicate hunger by 2030.
But it is more than just hunger mitigation as our ARBOs will eventually become established channels for food supply, hence, they will play a vital role in ensuring food security in the country, Castriciones said.
Read more about farming and gardening at agriculture.com.ph.