By Mariela Angella Oladive
The National Dairy Summit 2024, themed “Advancing Dairypreneurship, Innovation, Nutrition, Sustainability, and Food Security,” began on October 28 at the Iloilo Convention Center, positioning the Philippine dairy sector as a “sunrise industry.”
Hosted by the Western Visayas Dairy Farmers and Stakeholders Agriventure, Inc. (WVDFSAI) in collaboration with the National Dairy Authority (NDA), the Iloilo City, and Provincial Government, the three-day summit gathered nearly 500 stakeholders, including farmers, industry leaders, and government representatives.
Undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor Savellano, representing Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., emphasized the sector’s growth potential during his keynote address.
“The dairy sector is, without question, a sunrise industry. We are seeing increased involvement from major investors and international players, signaling incredible potential. Let us harness this momentum — not only for business growth but for the future of Philippine agriculture. Iloilo, a hub of innovation and progress, stands at the forefront of this growth,” he said.
He cited Western Visayas as a prime example, noting that the region produces 2.2 million liters of milk from 10,615 dairy animals, demonstrating the power of collaboration and innovation.
NDA Administrator Atty. Marcus Antonius Andaya underscored the NDA’s commitment to advancing the dairy industry through policy direction, program coordination, and implementation.
Andaya shared that the agency aims to increase the country’s milk sufficiency from 1% to 2.5% by 2025, with a long-term goal of reaching 5% by 2028.
He added that the country’s reliance on imported milk presents an opportunity for local growth, urging stakeholders to explore expansion within the industry.
To meet these targets, the NDA plans to expand local dairy herds through aggressive cattle importation and establish best practices to enhance animal productivity and longevity.
The NDA also plans to develop a pilot feed center in Iloilo to ensure a sustainable food supply for local livestock.
Besides plenary sessions, the summit includes exhibits showcasing various technologies aimed at enhancing agricultural production and a display of dairy products.
WVDFSAI President Johnny Que highlighted the summit’s collaborative approach, inviting participants from diverse sectors, including academia and local government units, to foster a unified approach to advancing dairypreneurship.
Also present to welcome the delegates were NDA Deputy Administrator Gavino Alfredo Benitez, Western Visayas Department officer-in-charge Vicente Bitolinamisa III, and acting Iloilo City Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.
