The National Dairy Authority (NDA) aims to increase the country’s milk sufficiency to 2.5 percent in 2025 from the current 1 percent, and bring it closer to 5 percent sufficiency with milk production of 80 million liters by 2028.

“The Department of Agriculture, through the NDA, is hell-bent on doubling the milk sufficiency of the country by next year. While this increase may seem modest, it represents a groundbreaking achievement, the first substantial progress in dairy sufficiency in many years, if ever, occurring under the Marcos Jr. administration,” NDA Administrator lawyer Marcus Antonios Andaya said in his message during the opening of the three-day National Dairy Summit 2024 at the Iloilo Convention Center in this city on Oct. 28.

Currently, the annual local demand for milk in the country is 1.9 billion liters but only 1 percent comes from local production.

To achieve the goal, Andaya said they first aimed at increasing the herd through aggressive importation of dairy cattle. Right now, there are 18,720 animals on the milkline that contribute to the 17 million milk production.

They will also train farmers on best practices to reduce animal mortality and extend the productive years of their livestock.

A feed center that will rise in Iloilo will serve as their pilot site for the feed center project to ensure sufficient food for the ruminants.

“To all stakeholders, let us consider this 1 percent milk sufficiency as an opportunity instead of an obstacle to improving the Philippine dairy industry. The opportunity is enormous, the potential to grow is exponential,” Andaya added.

Sunrise industry

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., in his keynote address delivered by Undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor Savellano, said the dairy sector is a sunrise industry.

“We are seeing the increased involvement of major investors and international players, signaling the incredible potential before us. Let us harness the momentum and capitalize on the opportunities that are opening up, not just for the benefit of our businesses, but for the future of Philippine agriculture,” he said.

Laurel cited Western Visayas, with its “impressive production” of 2.2 million liters of milk and 10,615 dairy animals, a “model of what can be achieved when we work together toward a common goal.”

“Our efforts will not cease until you see a thriving dairy industry in every province of Western Visayas. The progress of our farmers is the ultimate measure of our success,” he added.

The summit, organized in partnership with the Western Visayas Dairy Farmers and Stakeholders Agriventure Inc., headed by its chairman Architect Johnny Que, gathered close to 500 stakeholders nationwide for the first-ever summit after the health pandemic.

“This year’s summit is all about advancing Dairypreneurship, innovation, nutrition, sustainability, and food security. Over the next few days, we’ll share ideas, celebrate successes, and collaborate on solutions that can shape the dairy industry for years to come,” he said.

NDA Deputy Administrator lawyer Gavino Alfredo Benitez, officer-in-charge Manager for Western Visayas Department Vicente Bitolinamisa III, and acting Iloilo City Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon are also present to welcome the delegates.

In addition to the plenary, there are exhibits of various technologies to boost agriculture production as well as products of the industry.

The summit focuses on the theme “Advancing Dairypreneurship, Innovation, Nutrition, Sustainability, and Food Security.”PNA