November 18, 2024

Philippines advances coconut-dairy integration to boost production

The National Dairy Authority (NDA) in the Philippines is spearheading efforts to integrate the coconut and dairy industries in Central Visayas, aiming to strengthen production in both sectors, an official said.

Dennis Madlos, Project Development Officer of NDA-7 (Central Visayas), stated that the initiative focuses on improving the production of quality milk from dairy cattle provided to coconut farmers. He explained that the NDA is an implementing agency for the Coconut-Dairy Integration Project, which is led by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).

As part of the programme, farmers have received dairy cattle capable of producing high-quality milk, offering an additional income stream alongside earnings from coconut farm surplus. The project is funded through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund.

In addition to the integration project, the NDA-7 continues its Milk Feeding Programme (MFP) in public schools and day-care centres across the region.

Pompeyo Davnar Almagro, Milk Feeding Programme Coordinator and Information Officer for NDA-7, confirmed that the programme is conducted in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The initiative aims to address malnutrition among children by providing milk to students from Kindergarten to Grade 6.

Almagro noted that milk distributed under the programme is sourced from local dairy farms and the Philippine Carabao Centre in Bohol, which is a key partner in ensuring adequate supply for the feeding initiative.

The NDA reported that the dairy sub-sector, encompassing carabao, dairy cattle, and dairy goat production, contributes 16.8% to the total agricultural value of the Philippines.

-      Philippine News Agency