By Kenneth Marcos 
Under a cloudy sky in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija, dairy farmers looked on with optimism as officials cut the ribbon on a brand-new stock farm — the first of its kind in the country. The P 59-million facility promises to help more Filipino families see fresh, local milk on their tables.
The National Dairy Authority (NDA), together with the Department of Agriculture (DA), officially inaugurated the General Tinio Stock Farm on November 25, 2025. The farm, located in General Tinio town, is designed to expand the country’s dairy herd and boost local milk production — a long-standing challenge for many dairy farmers.
At full capacity, the farm can accommodate up to 150 dairy cattle. It features modern facilities: misters and cow brushes to keep the animals comfortable, plus a 15-hectare forage area to support their nutrition. Such amenities help ensure the imported dairy animals adapt well to the Philippine climate before being distributed to “Dairy Multiplier Farms” and, eventually, smallholder farmers across the country.
According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the lack of productive dairy animals has long been a bottleneck for the industry. The new stock farm directly addresses this problem, giving imported dairy cattle a chance to be acclimatized and raised before reaching local farmers. “We will no longer allow the country’s milk self-sufficiency to remain low,” he said.
NDA Administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya described the facility as more than just infrastructure. He called it a “long-term commitment to building a strong, reliable, and self-sustaining dairy sector.” The plan is to replicate this model farm in other regions — eventually giving every region its own stock farm.
This inauguration is the first among five stock farms planned by the NDA. Others are in Ubay, Bohol; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; Carmen, Cotabato; and Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. The agency said the other farms are nearing full operation.
The timing is significant. As of mid-2025, the country’s dairy herd has grown to 166,411 heads — including dairy cattle, carabaos, and goats — marking a 16.4 % increase from mid-2024. Milk output from monitored areas also rose sharply: cattle milk production rose 11.7 %, and goat milk surged 47.5 % compared with a year ago.
Still, local milk production remains very small compared with national needs. The dairy sector faces a long road ahead to meet consumption demand, and most milk products continue to come from imports.
But for small dairy farmers — especially those in rural areas — the General Tinio Stock Farm is a ray of hope. With better access to healthy, productive dairy animals, they stand a better chance at higher yields, stable income, and contributing to a more self-reliant dairy industry.
While challenges remain, this new farm shows what’s possible when government, farmers, and communities work together. For now, it is a step toward more fresh, local milk for Filipino households.
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