October 3, 2012

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture is calling for its agencies to acquire local milk and other products, as part of a continual support for the country's dairy sector.

Agriculture chief, Proceso J. Alcala, admits that even if there is no swift solution to the problems hounding the industry, he is optimistic that the placement of proper technologies and intervention will eventually resolve it.

"We have to work together to increase production. I will direct DA agencies in the province to exclusively use your products," he announced.

Developing the local dairy industry is one of the government's strategies to help reduce poverty in the country.

"Dairying augments profit and uplifts the income and lives of farmers in the rural areas," Alcala said.

One milk-producing animal can produce an average monthly-income of PHP7,000 (US$168) and a well-trained farm-family can raise six dairy animals at a time earning a potential income of up to PHP50,000 (US$1,200).

At present, the country's production of fresh milk is far from the demand of the local market, thus, the country remains dependent on imported milk.

Government data shows that local consumption for dairy products, fresh and processed, in 2011 was posted at 1,805 million kilogrammes, with local production contributing only 16.45 million kilogrammes in liquid milk equivalent. The balance is covered by imports coming from New Zealand, US, Australia and France.