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MANILA - How do you explain the success of ICRISAT in becoming the #1 institute within the CGIAR universe of 15 international centers for agricultural research? From where I sit, it's the positive & productive interaction of partners, people, science and funds - none more important than the other. It was Team ICRISAT at first, led by Director General   William Dollente Dar , working with science, people and funds. Leadership made the local difference. Then it became Team ICRISAT & Partners. Partnership made the global difference. In a chain, the strongest link is the weakest; in science, that's usually funds. In the 65th Governing Board meeting of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics held at ICRISAT's campus in Patancheru, India held 21-24 September 2011, the GB approved the Institute's Fundraising Plan meant to set into full motion the Business Plan for 2011-2015, considering the revised funding processes and mechanisms of

ASINGAN, PANGASINAN - Sunday, 25 September 2011, at 1400 hours, I am with the 7 Vet Med students from the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMSU) in La Union Province who have just finished their practicum at the individual buffalo farms of members of the Bantog Coop led by  Modesto "Modi" Gabriel . The 7 are:  Jonathan Cariaga, Edmar Cardaño, Cherry Mae Castillo, Jenny Ruth Catabay, Cristy Caoile, Catherine Lobrete,  and  Marie Claire Cablac . The natural leader turned out to be Jonathan; the first 3 are Seniors, the rest Juniors. They were sent to the Bantog Coop by their professor, Dr  Elizabeth P Galaraga  whom they fondly call  Doc Aga . She has heard about the success of this coop in raising imported buffalos for milk production. They were very thankful of their hands-on experience. It is their 3rd and last day; I just happen to be visiting my hometown and I learned about it only today through  Neneng Manuel . Modi asks them to share their experience and im