The National Dairy Authority (NDA), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), is teaming up with France-based food consultancy firm Phylum SARL to conduct a feasibility study for the DA’s Philippine Dairy Project.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, representing the NDA, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Phylum, represented by Managing Partner Francois Gary. 

In a statement on Saturday, Feb. 15, the DA said the agreement aims to strengthen French-Philippine relations in the dairy sector.

The agency added that modernizing the Philippines’ dairy industry is envisioned through the Philippine Dairy Project.

However, the NDA and Phylum will still conduct the feasibility study to assess whether the project qualifies for a concessional loan from the French government. 

The study itself will be funded through a grant from Fonds d'études et d'aide au secteur privé (FASEP), a development fund by the French Treasury that supports feasibility studies in foreign markets.

The DA said one of the project’s priorities is to establish a modern dairy farm in Ubay, Bohol, with the capacity to house more than 300 cows for milk production.

This will include a facility equipped to process up to 10 metric tons (MT) of raw milk daily.

Aside from pursuing training and advisory services, the Philippine Dairy Project will also include collaboration with local cooperatives for milk and fodder production.

It also aims to set up milk collection centers and milk processing facilities in selected areas across the country.

The NDA said it welcomes international collaborations and private sector investments to help improve the country’s local dairy industry. 

Based on the agency’s data, the average milk production per cow in the Philippines remains at a low eight liters per day.

The NTA attributes this low capability to inadequate feed and management practices, high production cost, and insufficient dairy infrastructure.

It explained that the country’s milk sufficiency should be higher than the current 1.66 percent, noting how it should be at least five percent or about 80 million liters of milk by 2028.