An group made up for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) will supply carabao's milk for over 7,500 students of the Department of Education's (DepEd) School-based Feeding Program in Davao Oriental.

The ARB group is the Kalaparan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (KARBENA) that is assisted by the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC at USM) at the University of Southern Mindanao in Maty City.

 “This partnership represents a major step towards integrating socioeconomic development with educational programs. Local farmers, who were previously landless, are now directly contributing to the welfare of schoolchildren in their community,” the PCC, an agency under the Department of Agriculture, said.

Geoffray Atok, center director of PCC at USM, commended the strategy of empowering ARBs to address malnutrition among schoolchildren. He stated that this approach not only supports local farmers but also guarantees the provision of nutritious and locally sourced food to students.

The partnership between the KARBENA and the DepEd is not only about providing milk; it symbolizes a broader effort to foster self-reliance and community resilience. By leveraging the resources within their community, the association members contribute to the sustainability of both their livelihoods and the school feeding program.

"This initiative exemplifies the potential of community-led solutions to address pressing social issues," Atok said. "By harnessing the expertise and resources of local farmers, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable food system that benefits everyone,” he added.

The integration of carabao's milk supplied by ARBs into the school feeding program underscores the importance of collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and grassroots organizations in achieving social change.