Dairy agency bats for cattle importation to boost milk production

 

MANILA, Philippines —  National Dairy Authority (NDA) Administrator Marcus Antonius T. Andaya recently pushed for the importation of cattle for stock farms to increase milk production.

Data from the NDA shows that the country’s milk supply is 99 percent imported, while a study presented at the conference found that the Philippine dairy market grew by 10.2% in 2022 with growth projected to remain in double digits.

“We cannot grip the faucet and hope it will produce more water. We need more faucets,” Andaya said.

Andaya added that they will “aggressively” import cattle for stock farms to multiply the herd under the NDA’s care and distribute the offspring to dairy farmers.

The NDA is eyeing to have five new stock farms operational by early 2025 to help increase its herd of nearly 80,000 heads.

“Progress doesn’t happen in isolation. It is through the collective efforts of farmers, experts, business leaders, commercial sector and the government that we can drive growth,” Andaya said.