THE National Dairy Authority (NDA), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, will “aggressively import” cattle in 2025 to help achieve 5-percent milk sufficiency for the country in 2028.
“We cannot grip the faucet and hope it will produce more water. We need more faucets,” NDA administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya said at the 2nd Richmade Dairy Cattle Congress held Friday.
“The NDA will be aggressively importing cattle for our stock farms for the herd to multiply under our care,” Andaya announced, adding the acclimatized offspring of these dairy cattle will be distributed to dairy farmers.
Local demand for milk reached an all-time high of 3.5 billion liters, Andaya said, adding that the country’s annual milk production was 30 million liters in 2023, or just 1 percent of the total supply, with the remaining 99 percent imported.
The country’s milk consumption is expected to rise from 1 million tons in 2028 to 1.8 million tons by 2029.
At the Cattle Congress, By Choi of Vietnam’s Vina Milk said that there is an immense potential for the Philippines’ dairy industry, since in 2022 the market reported a 10.2-percent growth and is projected to continue with a double-digit growth.
“You cannot ignore a double-digit growth figure,” By Choi said, adding that milk production has surged by 30 percent over the past decade.
To achieve NDA’s target of 5-percent milk sufficiency for the country, Andaya said the agency is set to finish building five new stock farms this year, which are expected to be operational by early 2025. These farms are in Tinio (Nueva Ecija), Ubay (Bohol), Malaybalay (Bukidnon), Carmen (Cotabato) and Agusan del Sur.
“This projected increase in dairy cattle is on top of the almost 80,000 dairy animals of farmers being assisted by NDA,” Andaya said. “It will follow that the NDA will likewise take a proactive approach to tap our stakeholders in the field of feeds, nutrition and animal health to increase the yield.”
Andaya likewise disclosed the NDA wants to strengthen the local milk market share by coordinating with the commercial sector and local milk producers regarding absorption of certain portions of locally produced milk, in accordance with Sec. 17 of RA 7884 or the National Dairy Development Act of 1995.
“Our vision for the Philippine dairy industry is clear. By 2028, we aim to reach at least 5-percent milk sufficiency, producing 80 million liters annually, with the majority of milk coming from local sources,” he said.
In the first half of 2024, dairy imports rose by 13 percent, with skim milk powder on top, followed by other milk powders and ready-to-drink milk.
Local milk production, meanwhile, grew by 15 percent at 16 million liters compared to 13.94 million in the same period last year.
Local total production accounts for 21 percent of the total liquid milk supply, equivalent to one glass out of every five glasses consumed in the country.
Gross earnings in the dairy sector increased by 24 percent to P879.88 million.
“We envision a dairy industry that is thriving, productive and profitable, where investments grow and farmers prosper. Every contribution and effort in this industry is vital, [and] by combining our diverse expertise, we can create a meaningful change and drive the industry forward,” Andaya said.
Be the first to comment