Quezon eyes dairy feed center, demonstration farm by 2027

By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan joins NDA officials in the ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the 4t...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino

Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan joins NDA officials in the ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the 4th South Luzon Dairy Fair at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City on November 3. (Quezon PIO)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - High livestock costs and limited financing continue to hinder dairy farming in Quezon, prompting the provincial government to pursue new facilities and assistance for local farmers. Plans for a feed center, demonstration farm, and provincial roadmap aim to increase milk production and create additional livelihood opportunities.

Governor Angelina “Helen” Tan outlined the proposed initiatives during the opening of the two-day 4th South Luzon Dairy Fair at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City on November 3. She expressed hope that the facilities could be realized in 2027 through cooperation with the National Dairy Authority (NDA), although project funding and construction schedules have not been finalized.

The initiative comes as Philippine milk production met only 2.23 percent of national requirements in 2025, according to the NDA. During the first half of 2026, domestic output reached approximately 25 million liters, with CALABARZON contributing 5.4 million liters, or 21.6 percent.

Tan has directed the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, headed by Dr. Flomella Caguicla, to prepare a roadmap identifying priority investments across Quezon. The proposed feed center could support animal nutrition and local feed production, while the demonstration farm would provide research, training, and livestock management opportunities.

The governor acknowledged that livestock acquisition, feed, veterinary care, and daily operations require substantial capital before farmers can generate regular earnings. She emphasized that provincial assistance should address these expenses, particularly for small-scale producers and existing dairy cooperatives in San Antonio.

“We want our farmers to recognize that raising cattle, goats, and carabaos for milk production can provide a meaningful source of income. We are prepared to support them financially because we understand the substantial investment, labor, feed, and other resources that dairy farming requires,” Tan said.

The provincial government is exploring financing arrangements with Land Bank, while agricultural and veterinary offices will assess cooperative needs for possible inclusion in annual programs. Tan said these assessments would guide assistance toward identified production requirements rather than depend solely on requests from beneficiaries.

She also emphasized that livelihood investments should be guided by poverty indicators and household income data to measure their economic benefits. The approach prioritizes programs capable of improving farmers' earnings over temporary financial assistance.

“In Quezon, we take economic data seriously and use it as the basis for decisions on programs designed to support our farmers. Temporary assistance can help bridge immediate gaps, but we prefer sustainable programs that provide lasting livelihood opportunities for families who depend on agriculture,” Tan said.

Meanwhile, NDA Administrator Atty. Marcus Antonius T. Andaya reported a 21.22-percent increase in national milk production during the first half of 2026 compared with the corresponding period last year. He said maintaining the industry's growth could bring annual output closer to 50 million liters.

“National milk production reached 25 million liters in the first half of 2026, up 21.22 percent from the same period last year. If we sustain that level of production during the second half, we could reach 50 million liters by the end of the year,” Andaya said.

Andaya also highlighted the ₱3-billion allocation for the Department of Education's milk feeding program, comprising ₱1.8 billion through the NDA and ₱1.2 billion through the Philippine Carabao Center. Procurement was divided into four batches to distribute demand across separate implementation periods.

“The ₱3-billion budget for milk feeding will require approximately 21 million to 25 million liters of milk for four million children over 30 days. We have divided the program into four batches because our existing annual milk production cannot meet that entire requirement within a single month,” Andaya said.

The NDA-led fair, themed “Unified Vision, Stronger Collaboration: Boosting the Dairy Industry in South Luzon,” featured presentations and activities involving agricultural agencies, producers, and cooperatives. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., through a message delivered on his behalf, also reported the arrival of 1,419 dairy cattle from Australia for distribution to qualified farmers, including beneficiaries in Southern Luzon.

For Quezon, the next steps involve completing the provincial roadmap and coordinating with the NDA on the proposed facilities. Their implementation will depend on finalizing project requirements, financing arrangements, and development schedules.