The National Dairy Authority (NDA) is taking bold steps to transform the local dairy industry, with a vision to make dairy farming accessible to every Filipino. With local milk demand soaring to 1.9 billion liters for 2023, yet only 1% sourced from local producers, the NDA’s mission is clear: to close this gap, reduce reliance on imports, and empower Filipinos to participate in dairy production.
During a media dinner, NDA Administrator Atty. Marcus Antonius T. Andaya emphasized that becoming a dairy farmer is more achievable than ever. “We want every Filipino to know that dairy farming is within their reach,” Andaya shared. “With the NDA’s streamlined processes, anyone, whether backyard raisers, small-scale farmers, or aspiring entrepreneurs, can get involved.” A simple letter of intent, addressed to the NDA Administrator, is all it takes to start the process. The NDA technical personnel will then evaluate the suitability of the farm and the capability of the interested farmer.
Atty. Andaya further elaborated his five-step vision to increase milk production resulting to a higher milk sufficiency.
The NDA’s five-step plan is designed to transform the dairy sector, aiming for 5% milk sufficiency by 2028—equivalent to producing 80 million liters of locally sourced milk annually.
- Increase in Herd
A central focus of the NDA’s 2025 agenda is increasing the number of dairy cattle in the country with an average yield of 10 liters per head per day. With only 16, 700 milking animals contributing to the 16 million liters of national milk production as of June 2024, Atty. Andaya underscored the need for a larger herd.
“Dairy cattle aren’t native to the Philippines, so importing dairy cattle is essential for boosting our production capacity,” he said. Imported cattle will be cared for in NDA stock farms, and their acclimatized offspring will be distributed to local farmers. This will be complemented by a massive AI regular breeding and sexed semen plus local animal upgrading.
- Increase in Milk Yield
Boosting milk yields through proper feeding, nutrition, and cow comfort is another priority. “By focusing on these fundamentals, we can significantly increase each cow’s productivity, improve herd health, and extend their productive lifespans,” Andaya noted. This will allow farmers to produce more milk sustainably while enhancing animal welfare even without increasing the herd.
- Minimizing Farming Risks
Empowering farmers with knowledge is crucial to reducing risks in dairy farming and the death of animals. Through NDA’s aggressive capacity-building programs, farmers will be trained in best practices to reduce animal mortality and extend the productive years of their livestock. “Our goal is to create self-reliant farmers who can sustain and grow their operations with minimal risk, otherwise it will defeat the initiative on herd build-up,” Andaya explained.
- Increase in Demand
To further support local producers, the NDA will be collaborating with the commercial sector to absorb a portion of locally produced milk. This initiative is expected to curb the 99% reliance on imported milk and ensure Filipino farmers have a stable and steady market. This demand will add up to the government’s milk-feeding program, which will be monitored and co-implemented by NDA.
- Increase in Public Awareness
The NDA is also set to launch a National Dairy Campaign, designed to promote the nutritional benefits of milk, especially for children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. “We want to engage communities at a local level, raising awareness of milk’s value in everyday diets,” Andaya said.
Progress and the Path Forward
In 2023, local milk production reached nearly 30 million liters, a notable increase but still modest compared to national demand.
Looking forward, the NDA’s vision is to create a dairy industry that is productive and profitable for everyone involved from small-scale farmers to larger enterprises. By leveraging innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to growth, the NDA is confident that the Philippines can build a self-sustaining dairy sector that not only meets the needs of today but also secures a brighter future for generations to come. ### (By Ian Caro Agbayani, DA-National Dairy Administration)
