The Philippines aims to increase its self-sufficiency in milk

The Philippines plans to increase milk production to 53 million litres and achieve a self-sufficiency rate of 2.33% as early as this year. According to The Manila Times, demand for dairy products is also growing in the country, and programmes to support the local dairy sector are being expanded.

The National Dairy Authority (NDA) announced on Sunday that it plans to produce 53 million litres of milk this year and achieve 2.33% self-sufficiency in milk.

Last week, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that dairy production in the first quarter rose by 6.47 per cent to 11.79 million litres, compared with 11.07 million litres in the same period last year.

Production costs also rose by 6.5 per cent in constant 2018 prices, which is faster than the 5.1 per cent increase recorded in the same quarter last year. In current prices, costs rose by 10.3 per cent.

The NDA praised this achievement, stating that it demonstrates its growing contribution to the development of the livestock sector, the enhancement of food security and the support of rural livelihoods.

NDA Administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya stated that the current successes are the result of continuing to roll out the programme at farm level and improving farmers’ productivity even before the arrival of new imported livestock.

“This will strengthen the national breeding base and accelerate herd build-up to contribute to the country’s milk production capacity in the coming years,” said Andaya.

He also discussed the expansion of the Ministry of Education’s milk feeding programme, which will be procured in accordance with the Sagip Saka Act.

“This initiative is expected to create stronger market demand for locally produced milk, which in turn will encourage our dairy farmers to increase production and invest in herd expansion and productivity improvements,” said Andaya.

“The country’s milk self-sufficiency is 2.1 percent as of March, while per capita milk consumption rose to 19.53 million litres from 17.16 million litres, reflecting a growing consumer demand,” added Marcus.

Source: The Manila Times