IF YOU NEED A HELPING HORN

SHTW-SE 29

If dogs are man's best friends, farmers have their own

too. Farmers need a practical hand in preparing the plots for
the next farming season, extra power for carrying sacks of
rice, and mode of transportation when going to the farm.
Anytime, anywhere, under the sunlight or strong rain, carabaos
are there to lend a helping hand to the farmers.

BEST FRIENDS UNDER SUNLIGHT

A carabao is a four-legged mammal characterized by very

dark skin and a pair of horns. They are classified as
herbivores or plant-eaters. Their thick skin makes them
withstand the heat of the sunlight. Aside from horsepower,
they are also used for many useful things.

In Nueva Ecija, most of the farmers have a carabao.

Farmers use carabaos to help them in preparing plots or "pag-
aararo" for the next planting season. Carabaos also help
farmers transfer piles of hay or sacks loaded into a cart
attached to them.

In Central Luzon State University or CLSU, a university

in Nueva Ecija, there is a Philippine Carabao Center (PCC)
founded for research and innovations regarding the carabaos.
PCC focus on creating more products from carabaos.

HELPING HORNS

Carabaos possess a very strong power of up to 200 Joules.

Their massive size usually shows the power they have. The
bigger the carabao, the more power it can harness. This is the
reason why farmers need a carabao among any other animals on
their farms.
 Carabaos usually swim in a pool of mud to cool off their
skin. They usually eat hays or other grass because their teeth
are specially made for gnashing grass. They can only eat grass
because their digestive tracts are delicate, and it produces
digestive fluids to easily digest the grass.

Aside from their strength, carabaos can also produce

foods and other materials that can be sold in the market.

THE MORE I YIELD

In General Tinio, Nueva Ecija, manures of the carabaos

can still be sold for another purpose. Some kids, while
carrying their sacks, go to dried grass fields where carabaos
gazed. They collect manures and sell them to the farmers as
organic fertilizers. Biogas can be also extracted because
their manures contain organic properties from the grass they
eat.

Some people using carabao's meat to cook various foods.

Mostly in "fiestas", local citizens of General Tinio cook
carabao's meat and serve it to the visitors. However, it
always takes a long time to cook their meat because it's tough
and boiling it consumes more time.

If you need a "pasalubong" to your family and friends,

pastillas de leche and carabao's milk can be bought for them.
Pastillas de leche uses pure carabao's milk, giving it sweeter
and softer texture while carabao's milk is a great source of
calcium.

Carabaos are not just animals, they are farmer's best

friends too. They are not just strong and helpful, they are
good producers too. If you need a helping horn, carabaos are
always there; not just for the farmers but for you too.