Manila: A Philippine lawmaker has called for a Congressional investigation into a programme meant to protect a species of water buffalo found in the country — the carabao — amid a reported decline in the population of the animals.

The carabao was once regarded as the Filipino farmer’s all-round work animal and formed the backbone of the country’s agricultural production. But in the age of petrol and diesel-powered farm machinery, its relevance on the farms has been overtaken by the more efficient hand tractors.

Representative Agapito Guanlao is calling on the Food and Agriculture Committee headed by Rep. Mark Leandro Mendoza to investigate the Carabao Development Programme and evaluate if it is still viable to continue the carabao industry.

In 1992, the government set up the Philippine Carabao Centre and the Carabao Development Programme to recognise and maintain the animal’s important role in the economic life of local farmers.

The plan was to overhaul the image of the carabao, and transition it from being regarded as a hardy load-bearing and draught animal, to being seen as a source of dairy products no different from a cow.

But 22 years after the scheme started, the idea of an industry built around carabao dairy is under siege by those questioning if the programme could still be continued.

“The declining carabao population could indicate problems in the industry,” Representative Agapito Guanlao of the farmer’s partylist “Butil” (grain) said.

According to Guanlao, the inquiry is timely in light of a decline in the carabao inventory despite a $3 million (Dh11 million) grant provided by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to the industry.

KOICA provided the grant in 2010, which established modern equipment for carabao breeding and applied research.

“Despite the KOICA project, the total carabao inventory in the country declined. As of January 1, 2014, the carabao population was 2.84 million heads which is 2.36 per cent lower than last year’s level,” Guanlao said.

He said the number of carabao on commercial farms dropped by 2.35 per cent, which also indicates problems in the industry.

Dairy carabaos are also good source of protein, and the carabao industry contributes to about 6.6 million litres or 33.6 per cent of the total milk production.

Interviewed by Gulf News on the problems confronting the carabao industry, Allan Doctor, admitted that the carabao population in the country was on the decline.

“The Philippine carabao population has been at a standstill or may be declining in remote areas since the government lifted the ban on the slaughter of these animals for meat in 2010.

“As a result, stocks declined as farmers, who had been initially given these cattle for livelihood, had to slaughter them to sell them because these are either already too old or they had no money,” he said.

According to Guanlao, there was also a decline in carabeef production as a source of protein, as the 2012 production of 142.73 thousand metric tons dropped to 141.48 thousand metric tons in 2013.

But Doctor said that for the animals to remain around for some time, Filipinos need to change their mindsets about carabao.

“People should not look at them solely as a source of meat and instead focus the contribution of these animals in the production of milk, dairy and other sources of protein and nourishment,” he said.

Doctor called for a reinstatement of the ban on the slaughter of carabaos.

“Carabaos will multiply when the slaughter is stopped,” he said.