The National Dairy Authority (NDA) on Friday reported a steady growth in the country’s milk production and dairy cattle population.

In a statement, NDA Administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya highlighted this year’s progress, citing the results of the government’s continuous efforts to boost local milk sufficiency in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“For the longest time, our milk sufficiency hovered at just 1 percent, we are now nearing 2 percent. His guidance and commitment have been invaluable in advancing our efforts toward dairy self-sufficiency,” Andaya said as the NDA holds the Dairy Fair activity ahead of the celebration of World Milk Day on June 1.

“We are grateful for the steadfast leadership of Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., whose strong support has been instrumental in strengthening the country’s local dairy industry,” he added.

For the first quarter of the year, the national milk production hit an 11 percent increase, reaching 9.58 million liters from 8.67 million liters for the same period in 2024, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Of the total, 7.56 million liters were produced from dairy cattle, goats, and carabaos under the NDA assistance and monitoring; while the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) contributed 1.24 million liters.

This puts the country on track for a 2.5 percent local milk sufficiency by the end of the year.

In terms of the country’s livestock inventory, the NDA also reported a 30 percent increase among the dairy cattle population; and 9 percent for dairy goats under the NDA’s Dairy Herd Build-Up Program.

To date, the NDA has been intensifying efforts to achieve at least 5 percent local milk sufficiency before the end of Marcos’ term in 2028. (PNA)