Dairy milk is an essential to our diet because of its numerous nutrients that keep us going daily. Because of this, it is vital to sustain and increase its local production. If dairy milk is always available and affordable in the country, more Filipinos will be healthier and nourished, making society more productive and resilient.

In Batangas and Quezon, the development of the dairy industry is among the priorities of the government to strengthen food security and to help increase the income of dairy farmers. Because of this, they referred three dairy farmer groups to the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project Regional Project Coordination Office CALABARZON.

The DA-PRDP is a DA and World Bank project that aims to improve the agriculture and fisheries sector through funding and establishing infrastructure and enterprise subprojects. Through this project, the three dairy farmer groups found a bigger and improved dairy enterprise to help them increase their production and income.

Palcon Dairy Multipurpose Cooperative in Sariaya, Quezon

At the height of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Palcon Dairy Multi Purpose Cooperative experienced a major setback in its dairy enterprise. Since almost all activities were limited then, their sales significantly plummeted, which caused a very high volume of wastage and loss in income. To recover, they tried to process their dairy milk into pastillas and pasteurized milk. However, their earnings from these were still not enough.

Through the enterprise subproject of the DA-PRDP, which cost PhP19,913,408.64, the group was overwhelmed with hope and optimism that they could get back on their feet to continue their livelihood. With the help of the inputs, equipment, trailing harrow, and delivery van from the subproject, their operations and production have become faster and easier, helping them increase the quality of their products and income. 

“Malaking bagay po para sa amin ang suporta ng DA-PRDP lalo na po at ilan sa amin ay pangunahing kabuhayan ang paggagatas. Hindi lamang po samahan namin ang natulungan, pati na rin po ang aming mga pamilya. Sana po ay magtuloy-tuloy na ang pagtaas ng aming kita,” shared Gemma Chavez, general manager ng Palcon.

BADACO and SAMABACO in Batangas

The DA-PRDP also supported the small dairy farmers of Batangas by providing funding for dairy enterprises amounting to PhP29,162,688.20 for the Batangas Dairy Multipurpose Cooperative in Lipa City and PhP21,019,832.80 to the Samahan ng Maggagatas ng Batangas Dairy Cooperative in Tanauan City. The BADACO received 50 pregnant heifers while the SAMABACO received ten which will help them increase their milk production and the population of their dairy stock.

“Dahil mas mataas na ang aming produksyon, nakakabenta na kami sa mga malalaking business dahilan para bumilis at tumaas ang aming kita,” shared Danilo Magpantay, president of the SAMABACO.

The groups were also able to have their own supply of silages which served as fodder for the animals through the inputs, equipment, and machinery they received from the subproject. Since the equipment they currently use is newer and of higher quality, they can take more care of their cows’ health, leading to higher-quality milk. With all the support they got, the groups are optimistic that their production volume and income will increase in the next production cycle.

Now that the livelihoods of these dairy farmers were given a stronger foundation to continue and potentially expand, the groups expressed that they are more determined to continue with their dairy milk production and, even further, improve it. Aside from milk, the groups mentioned that in the near future, they aim to supply dairy cows to fellow dairy farmers or others interested in venturing into dairy production. If this comes to fruition, the dairy industry in the country is then likely to be sustained and improved, assuring the nation and future generations a healthier, stronger, and productive future.

Fodder for dairy cows are now easier to gather through the trailing harrow provided by the DA-PRDP. The DA-PRDP also provided the groups inputs for planting corn for them to have a sustainable source of food for their cows. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

All groups are now supplying and retailing their dairy products in various markets. Through the support they are getting from the DA-PRDP and other agencies, their enterprise is bound to improve and thrive, thereby sustaining the dairy industry in the country. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

Gemma Chavez, General Manager of the Palcon Dairy Multipurpose Cooperative, expressed her gratitude to the DA-PRDP for helping them improve their enterprise since this is their primary source of income to provide for their family. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

Because of the support they received, the groups reported an increase in the volume of their production. In the next cycle, they are expecting for an even more significant increase in their production. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

Through the housing facilities provided by the DA-PRDP under the dairy enterprise subproject, the dairy cows are given a higher quality of life now that they have a shaded and well-ventilated place to rest. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

Work is now faster and more efficient for the dairy farmers because of the new and reliable milking equipment they received under the dairy enterprise subproject they received from the DA-PRDP. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

The pregnant heifers provided by the DA-PRDP to the groups will not only increase the volume of their milk production but will also improve the breed of their dairy cows making them more ideal for dairy production. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)