MOA inked for P40-M dairy facilities construction in New Lucena, Iloilo

The Department of Agriculture (DA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), and the Municipality of New Lucena, Iloilo’s local chief executive, recently signed a memorandum of agreement for the P40 million construction and establishment of the NDA Western Visayas Regional Office laboratory, Dairy Feeds Center, Dairy Demo Farm, and Dairy Showroom.

The MOA signing took place at the Baganihan Hall, New Lucena Iloilo, on February 16, 2024. The collaboration between DA-NDA, the Province of Iloilo, and the Municipality of New Lucena will directly impact the livelihood of dairy cattle farmers.

Republic Act 1137, which emphasizes providing healthy food for children, includes milk-feeding programs for schools and the community. Upgrading cattle in the locality will eventually result in sufficient and nutritious milk for children in New Lucena and throughout the province.

Mayor Liecel Seville of New Lucena, Iloilo, said, “We are open to the project since we can see the benefits our town and its community can acquire. We look forward to all farmer associations from the 21 barangays being oriented and understanding the project’s goals and objectives.”

Dr. Gabriel Lagamayo, NDA Administrator, said that producing local dairy milk from farmer breeders will help improve their livelihood through new technology and innovations. “We can use our dairy cattle by milking them and improving the cattle-raising system. The feeds center will be our source of food for our cattle.”

Lagamayo is optimistic that synergy will happen between the LGU, the provincial government, the NDA, and the farmers of New Lucena. “We expect high milk production here in Western Visayas, particularly in the province of Iloilo and the Municipality of New Lucena, which could supply the milk requirement of agri-entrepreneurs in the locality.”

A total of 50 dairy farmers from various associations attended the dairy farmers’ forum at The Venue, Mandurriao, Iloilo City earlier, wherein Vicente Bitolimanisa III, OIC Asst. Manager NDA Western Visayas presented the Regional Dairy Development Plan for 2024-2028.

During the discussion, agri-entrepreneurs and business executives explored various value-adding products that have the potential to be developed for the market. Some of the products that were discussed include cheese, milk, bread, biscuits, yogurt, and ice cream.

Dairy Associations present in the event were St. Martins Association, Tubungan Coconut Farmers Association, Makato, Aklan Farmers Association, Ibajay Farmers Association, San Jose Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Farmers Ass., IWAG Guimaras Association, Pavia Livestock Grower Association, Iloilo Living Farm Association, Orchard Valley Inc., Tobias Fornier Dairy Cattle Farmers Association, Belison Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Kabankalan Farmers Association.###JNCapaciete/DA-RAFIS 6