By Paula Valero
The National Dairy Authority (NDA) has set concrete plans to raise production and herd to realize the Marcos administration’s 5% milk sufficiency target by 2028.
The current milk sufficiency level is at 1.54% as of June.
NDA Administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya said his team's agendas include importing dairy cattle to be placed in multiplier farms, artificial insemination, better nutrition for dairy cattle to increase milk volume, decreasing the mortality rate by educating the farmers, and creating local demand.
“Kapag iyan nagawa namin sa mga darating na panahon, I am very optimistic na sa mga darating na panahon na iyang 5% milk sufficiency for 2028 very achievable,” he said.
Andaya mentioned that the expected amount of heads imported from Australia is at least 600 in 2025.
“Nag-umpisa na iyong procurement namin. Kung magsidating iyan, we are targeting na by July of 2025, magsisidating na iyan and then in the same year naglalabas na ng mga gatas,” he said.
According to the NDA, the number of cows and heifers is 79,000 as of now, with around 16,000 in the milking line.
The targeted stock multiplier farms are expected to be done and running in December. The location of these farms are in General Tinio town, Nueva Ecija province; Ubay town, Bohol; Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; Carmen town, Cotabato; and Prosperidad town in Agusan del Sur.
“Iyong five stock farms na iyan kung saan namin ilalagay ang mga imported na baka, matatapos iyan ngayong taon. Mago-operationalize iyan (We will put the imported cattle in five stock farms which will be completed this year. And it will be operational) by 2025, next year,” Andaya said
Andaya, however, stresses the budget, as it needs to be raised or at least be P1 billion, considering the amount of funds required for the plans to be accomplished.
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