A BACHELOR SETS A BAR ON HANDLING GOVERNMENT-INITIATED PROJECT
“Accepting a project is like the care we invest with our own family. This is how a bachelor from a countryside of Aleosan, describes his journey as livestock farmer.
Esauro Caballero, farmer and livestock entrepreneur from Barangay Palacat of this municipality, shares that developing a project entails personal commitment chained with accountability.
“When our municipal agriculture initiated a livestock project on goat raising in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute- Regional 12 (ATI-12), I’m very happy as one of their beneficiaries,” Caballero shared in Ilonggo.
He added that, “I was able to received 5 hybrid goats (1-buck and 4-doe) and after few years of responsible raising, I’m able to replicate it to 20 heads now.”
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s goat industry report that as of January 1, 2016, the goat inventory reached to 3.66 million heads, 0.30% lower than previous year’s inventory of 3.67 million heads while 3.60 million heads usually raised in backyards or at 98.39 percent.
Believing that government project can be sustainable and profitable, Caballero ensures that he will raise the goat to its full potential.
“I appreciate how this project was turned-over to us. As beneficiary, I attended various trainings and practical sessions with our government in- charge. This strategy enhanced my skills how to properly handle and raise hybrid goats even just in our backyards,” he further said.
Pessimistic feedback from neighborhood
In the community’s setting, it’s natural that even your neighbors will discourage you that government project will end a failure.
For Caballero, to be chosen as project beneficiary is both a blessing and accountability. “I still believe that the art of growing a project needs a heart that desires nothing but success. I want to prove to my co-farmer that I can sustain government’s project.
Setting a good example
Believing that a responsible public servant should set a good leadership in the community, Caballero showcases his backyard with healthy hybrid goats from the government.
“These goats, as government’s livelihood support is a living testimony that community people like me has the capacity to grow the project that doesn’t entail a lot of monitoring. Our maturity and our conscience towards an entrusted project are key elements of sustainable project,” he added.
He hopes that community people will make every project opportunity, a blessing to be thankful and the challenge to make the best outputs, as always. “At the end of the day, if this project will be successful and earning, the benefits are always ours, for our own family.”
Tips to Properly Raise Goats
According to Esauro, raising a goat needs total care and he shares some notes how to take care this animal properly:
- Consider a good breed of goat and see if the animals are healthy.
- Install appropriate housing facility for goats. This is important if you want your goats to grow healthy.
- Establish your own forage area for your goats. It will give more comforts as your grow your own goat farm. Your small backyard space can a good space to grow Para grass, Napier and ready-to-plant grasses from your community
- If you have the opportunity, attend capacity building or training lead by your Barangay Local Government Unit or partner government/non government agency. It is a great opportunity to increase and develop your skills in handling goat.
- Regularly clean the food area of your goat and ensure that there is always available water in the goat’s house.
