By Brian Campued
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Dairy Authority (NDA) on Tuesday launched the General Tinio Stock Farm in Nueva Ecija, which will serve as a model for dairy modernization and herd expansion nationwide.
The P59 million flagship dairy development facility is aimed at addressing the shortage of productive dairy animals in the country, such as milking cows and goats.
“Hindi na tayo papayag na manatiling mababa ang milk sufficiency ng bansa,” Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said. “Kung hindi natin palalakihin ang ating dairy herd, mananatili tayong umaangkat at patuloy na mawawala ang oportunidad para sa ating mga magsasaka.”
The Nueva Ecija stock farm will serve as the breeding, development, and acclimatization hub for imported dairy animals, with a capacity of up to 150 dairy cattle. It is also equipped with modern misters and cow brushes.
Its 15-hectare forage area would not only provide comfort for animals and boost milk yield but also serve as areas for farming and processing of animal feeds.
“Dito, sistematikong palalakihin at iaangkop ang mga iniangkat na dairy animals hanggang maging akma sa klima ng Pilipinas,” Laurel said. “Kapag handa na sila, ililipat natin sa mga DMF (Dairy Multiplier Farms), at mula roon ay makikinabang ang ating mga lokal na magsasaka.”
NDA Administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya explained that the acclimatization of imported animals is key to improving animal survival and output.
“Kapag ang baka ay inangkop muna sa ating klima bago ibaba sa mga magsasaka, mas mataas ang tsansa nitong mabuhay, maging produktibo, at makapagbigay ng mas maraming gatas,” Andaya said.
Besides the General Tinio Stock Farm, other facilities that will soon become fully operational are those in Ubay, Bohol; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; Carmen, Cotabato; and Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
The D.A. plans to build a dairy stock farm in every region across the country to ensure high-quality milk yield, support agribusiness, and boost the local economy.
“Sa mahabang panahon, nanatiling 1% (ang local milk production), pero ngayon nasa 2.3% na po tayo at ang target po sana namin ay pagkatapos po ng 2028, 5% po. Positive po kami na maaabot ‘yan kapag nagawa na po lahat ng stock farms,” Andaya noted. (with report from Vel Custodio / PTV News)
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