By Kenneth Marcos 
A bright morning at the National Dairy Authority (NDA) headquarters saw key officials from the agency meet with top executives from Nestlé Philippines to discuss ways to increase local milk production. The gathering brought together NDA Administrator Atty. Marcus Antonius T. Andaya, Chief of Staff Ms. Angelica S. Escanilla, and division chiefs Mr. Joshua S. Lomuntad and Mr. Dan Adrian D. Guban with Nestlé Senior Vice President for Dairy Health and Nutrition Solutions, Mr. Jojo Dela Cruz, and Head of Government and Industry Affairs, Atty. Sheryl Christine V. Lagrosas.
The meeting focused on potential collaborative programs that could strengthen the dairy sector, drawing inspiration from successful initiatives in the Philippine coffee industry. Officials explored strategies to improve farm-level milk yields, enhance quality standards, and expand support services for local dairy farmers.
“The goal is to create programs that not only increase milk supply but also benefit farmers and the overall industry,” said sources familiar with the discussion. NDA and Nestlé aim to combine technical expertise, market knowledge, and policy support to drive sustainable growth in the local dairy sector.
This proposed partnership aligns with the government’s broader plan to achieve a “Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas” by strengthening agricultural industries, ensuring food security, and supporting smallholder farmers. If implemented, the collaboration could introduce new training, farm assistance, and quality assurance programs to help farmers produce more and better milk.
Both NDA and Nestlé emphasized the importance of working together with stakeholders, from farmers to local government units, to ensure that any interventions are practical, inclusive, and results-driven.
While formal agreements are still under discussion, the meeting marks a promising step toward boosting domestic dairy production and reducing dependence on imported milk products.
Pwersa Balita – Your Trusted Source in Agri News