Philippines Aims for Milk Self-Sufficiency by 2035

The Philippine government is moving towards achieving self-sufficiency in milk production. The National Dairy Authority (NDA) is actively working to amass a sufficient stock of cattle within the next decade, facilitating the country’s shift away from dependency on dairy imports.

Government Strategy

NDA Administrator Marcus Andaya announced during a recent briefing in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon that the Philippines is implementing a program aimed at increasing domestic dairy animal numbers. The plan, to be launched in 2025, will see the growth of stock and multiplier farms and is projected to halt cattle importation by 2030 to 2035.

Current Dairy Situation

Currently, the Philippines has only 1.65% milk sufficiency, which the NDA hopes to raise to 2.5% by 2025. The country demands approximately 1.9 billion liters of milk, yet it produces merely 29 million liters.

Importation and Production Goals

The NDA is importing dairy cattle from Australia and New Zealand to bolster domestic production significantly. Once these animals arrive, they are expected to reproduce and boost milk production substantially.

Regional Contributions

Regions like Calabarzon, Western Visayas, and Northern Mindanao currently lead in milk production within the nation. The NDA aims to achieve a 5% milk sufficiency by 2028, potentially producing up to 80 million liters annually.

This endeavor aligns with the broader vision under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., hoping to lay the groundwork for a more self-sufficient dairy industry by the end of his term in 2028.