Nueva ecija: The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Dairy Authority (NDA) have jointly launched the General Tinio Stock Farm, a new model designed to support the government's herd expansion program aimed at bolstering the Philippines' dairy production.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that the PHP59 million investment in the stock farm is a strategic move to tackle the persistent shortage of productive dairy animals in the country. He noted the current challenges facing local milk production and the necessity for improvement, stating, "We will not allow our milk sufficiency to remain low."

The NDA reported that it has achieved 2.3 percent milk sufficiency, just shy of its 2.5 percent target for the year. Secretary Tiu Laurel highlighted the importance of increasing the dairy herd to reduce dependence on imports and to seize opportunities for local farmers.

NDA Administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya pointed out the long-term benefits of the facility in boosting the income of local dairy farmers. He described the General Tinio Stock Farm as a blueprint for dairy modernization and a model for future facilities.

The General Tinio Stock Farm is the first of five NDA stock farms to be inaugurated. It is designed to help imported dairy cattle acclimatize to the Philippine climate, with facilities that include a breeding, development, and acclimatization center capable of accommodating 150 dairy cattle. The farm also features modern amenities such as misters, cow brushes, and a 15-hectare forage area to ensure animal comfort and proper nutrition.

In addition to the General Tinio Stock Farm, other facilities in Ubay, Bohol; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; Carmen, Cotabato; and Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur are nearing full operational status.