CEBU CITY – The National Dairy Authority (NDA) is encouraging young entrepreneurs to venture into dairy farming following reports of unhealthy additives in several imported milk products.

“The local dairy industry in the Visayas produces high quality of fresh milk and its volume of milk production is also high,” said NDA Public Information Officer Farina Dy in a forum.

According to Dy, an increasing number of Filipino consumers opt to buy local milk products instead of imported ones since local milk assures them of good quality. Given this scenario, she urged entrepreneurs to capitalize on the demand.

“If one ventures into agriculture business right now, it would be very difficult because of the El Niño phenomenon, whereas in dairy farming, start-up capital is minimal and the demand is growing,” she added.

In 2008, the Philippines and other countries warned against imported dairy products which allegedly contained melamine, a compound used to make plastics and fertilizers. It was found in an infant formula and other milk products from different Chinese dairy companies.

“It was after this incident that many Filipinos became vigilant in their choice for milk products,” Dy said.

Citing industry records, Dy said Cebu currently ranks sixth among the country’s top fresh milk suppliers. However, the production in the local dairy industry still lags behind that of large corporations.

As of January this year, milk production in Central Visayas averaged about 3,203 liters per day. Cebu accounted for 2,019 liters a day, on the average; Bohol, 29 liters; Negros Oriental, 1,128 liters; and Siquijor, 27 liters.

The total dairy herd inventory in the region for the same period was 1,639 heads. Cebu accounted for 1,011 heads; Bohol, 48; Negros Oriental, 537; and Siquijor, 43.

In its website, the NDA reported that local dairy production increased by 1.55 percent as of January-September 2009, compared to the same period in 2008. Imports in the same period increased by 4.7 percent.

As of September 2009, the total value of dairy products produced in the Philippines stood at R311.83 million.

Meanwhile, Cebu Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (CFDC) Chairman Joseph Durado said milk produced in Cebu is supplied to high-end restaurants and coffee shops.

CFDC supplies fresh milk as well as processes milk into other products like cheese, butter and yogurt.

“If people will venture into dairy farming, all they need is land, a cow and a cow shed to start with,” Durado said, adding that one hectare of land can accommodate 10 cows.

The NDA will import 500 cows from New Zealand by July or August this year and have them breed in the farm. Their offspring can be sold cheaper than imported cows.

Likewise, the NDA announced the opening of the 13th Dairy Congress, which will be held in the Cebu International Convention Center on April 16 to 18. This is a nationwide affair where dairy farmers discuss best practices and strategies in dairy farming. About 1,000 participants are expected to join.