Philippines - Dairy processors form Fresh Milk Board-Luzon

Seven local dairy processors said Monday they have formed Fresh Milk Board-Luzon to strengthen their position in the expanding market for local fresh milk. According to National Dairy Authority (NDA) Administrator Salvacion Bulatao, she sees the formation of the Board as an important private-sector counterpart to the NDA program focusing on milk quality systems for local dairy producers and cooperatives. She said the Board was an offshoot of the Livestock Summit held last July in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Bulatao added that the NDA has provided testing equipment in milk collection centers and processing plants to maintain high quality standards for local milk and milk products. Some of the testing equipment was donated by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Australian government, it was learned. Bulatao also lamented that regular tests were conducted by the NDA milk laboratory, and quality control staff were deployed to ensure compliance with milk quality standards. "Early this year, milk processors have installed milk payment systems based on milk quality and composition," Bulatao said. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is optimistic about the significant strides in the commercial market of local milk and the expansion of feeding programs sponsored by local government units. "This growth is most evident to the processors and local dairy farmers who are encouraged to pursue dairy development more vigorously," DA officials added. Last October 12, representatives who have signed the memorandum of agreement were from DVF Dairy Farms Inc. of Talavera, Nueva Ecija; Batangas Agribusiness Center of Lipa City; Hacienda Macalauanan of Calauan, Laguna; Katipunan ng Mga Kooperatiba ng Maggagatas; Ink of South Luzon; the Nueva Ecija Federation of Dairy Carabao Cooperatives; the Sta. Maria Dairy Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative; the Tribo Zambaleno and the Dairy Development Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. Among the heads of support agencies were Dr. Libertado Cruz of the Philippine Carabao Center, Dr. Ninfa Roxas of the Dairy Training and Research Institute.