Published April 10, 2026 by JOSELINA AZUCENA
Cagayan State University (CSU)–Piat Campus is honored to have been visited by a top official from the Department of Agriculture, as Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero visited various project sites in the campus.
Joined by Dr. Urdujah G. Alvarado, Chairperson of the Career Executive Service Board and CSU Board of Regent member, Dr. Bryan S. Sibayan, Manager of the DA-Southern Cagayan Research Center, and other DA officials, the visit provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue with the Dairy Project in-charge, Research and Extension Coordinators focusing on the project’s current initiatives, operations, and future directions.
Key discussions highlighted both ongoing and proposed dairy development programs, with particular attention to Artificial Insemination (AI), cattle production, and the micro-credentialing of AI practitioners to strengthen technical capacity in the field.
Undersecretary Caballero inquired about the integration of AI into the university’s micro-credentialing program, to which the campus TVET Coordinator shared plans to offer the course by June, pending approval by the Board during its upcoming April meeting. Dr. Alvarado expressed her full support and commitment to review the proposal in the next Board session.
Emphasizing the need to maximize CSU’s existing resources, Undersecretary Caballero encouraged stronger collaboration with partner agencies to further boost dairy production. She also shared valuable insights from her international benchmarking activities, citing effective strategies adopted by other countries to enhance milk production and improve herd management practices.
The Undersecretary outlined a comprehensive mechanism aimed at improving herd quality, increasing milk yield, and expanding participation across the dairy value chain. This approach underscores the importance of building an inclusive ecosystem.
As Undersecretary for High Value Crops, she also took note of “kakanin pawa,” a local rice delicacy served during the visit, recognizing it as a promising example of value-adding to agricultural products. She expressed appreciation for such initiatives that highlight the potential of local crops and rural enterprise.
The visit also included an inspection of the campus Mango Products Processing area, further showcasing CSU Piat’s efforts in agricultural innovation and product development.
Looking ahead, Undersecretary Caballero shared her intention to visit other high-value crop production areas within the municipality, including nearby Sto. Niño, to explore additional opportunities for development and support.