AGRICULTURE Secretary William D. Dar said the National Dairy Authority (NDA) has been set a 100% production growth target for liquid milk within five to eight years.
At the 25th anniversary of the NDA yesterday, Mr. Dar said the dairy industry currently meets 1.2% of domestic milk requirements, including powdered milk.
“Mallit pa rin yung present level of production of milk in the Philippines, (The present level of milk production in the Philippines is small),” Mr. Dar said.
Mr. Dar said milk production requires support from the government if it is to meet domestic demand.
He said the NDA should reconsider its strategy for boosting dairy production.
“The NDA, and other related agencies should elevate their game,” Mr. Dar said.
Mr. Dar acknowledged that not all provinces are suitable for enhanced dairy production, urging the dairy authorities to be “selective.”
The NDA has an annual budget of P1.5 billion to support dairy production.
The NDA and the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) have been given marching orders to boost their industry’s output. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
