The Small Ruminant Center (SRC) under the R&E Program of Central Luzon State University (CLSU) together with the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) conducted an inception meeting today, August 19, for the implementation of the newly-approved project titled Let’s Doe Business: Goat Milk-Based Livelihood Opportunities to Mitigate the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

According to Mr. Neal A. Del Rosario, project leader, the project aims to develop goat raisers from the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Aurora to small dairy agripreneurs or local producers of nutritious and healthy goat milk production during and after the pandemic.

“The University is grateful for the unwavering support of the DOST-PCAARRD to our R&D initiatives, and the CLSU administration commits its full support to the SRC team to ensure that all the project deliverables will be provided on time,” said Dr. Edgar A. Orden, CLSU President.

On the other hand, Dr. Melvin B. Carlos, DOST-PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director of ARMSS, duly represented by Ms. Anna Marie P. Alo, Supervising Science Research Specialist for Livestock Research Division-PCAARRD looked back on the history of the partnership between SRC and PCAARRD. In her message, she expressed how pleased she is to see that SRC has remained committed to providing innovative efforts and services all for the common good.

During the meeting, the signed memorandum of agreement was officially turned over to CLSU. The project officially started on August 1, 2022, and will run until January 2024 with a Php3,038,428.05 pesos fund from the DOST-PCAARRD.