NUEVA EJICA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Dairy Authority (NDA), officially launched the General Tinio Stock Farm, one of the country’s key dairy development facilities designed to expand the national dairy herd, contribute to the local milk production, and uplift the livelihood of Filipino dairy farmers.
The stock farm is built to serve as a breeding, development, and acclimatization center for imported dairy animals, which will then be distributed to Dairy Multiplier Farms (DMFs) and eventually to local farmers across the country. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu-Laurel Jr. emphasized that the project directly addresses one of the most critical challenges facing the dairy sector: the shortage of productive dairy animals.
“Hindi na tayo papayag na manatiling mababa ang milk sufficiency ng bansa,” the Secretary said. “Kung hindi natin pararamihin ang ating dairy herd, mananatili tayong umaangkat at patuloy na mawawala ang oportunidad para sa ating mga magsasaka.”
He added that the General Tinio Stock Farm represents a model that DA and NDA intend to replicate nationwide. “Dito, sistematikong palalakihin at iaangkop ang mga iniangkat na dairy animals hanggang maging akma sa klima ng Pilipinas,” Tiu-Laurel said.
“Kapag handa na sila, ililipat natin sa ating Dairy Multiplier Farms, at mula roon ay makikinabang ang ating mga lokal na magsasaka.”
NDA Administrator Atty. Marcus Antonius T. Andaya highlighted the importance of the facility in transforming the country’s dairy value chain.
“This stock farm is more than just infrastructure, it is a long-term commitment to building a strong, reliable, and self-sustaining dairy sector,” Andaya said.
“Ang unang hakbang sa isang matatag na industriya ng pagatasan ay isang mahusay at produktibong herd. Dito natin sisimulan ang pagbuo ng herd na kayang magbigay ng mas mataas na produksyon at mas mahabang productivity life.”
Atty. Andaya also stressed that the farm will significantly help in improving the adaptation rates of dairy cattle.
“Kapag ang baka ay inangkop muna sa ating klima bago ibaba sa mga magsasaka, mas mataas ang tsansa nitong mabuhay, maging produktibo, at makapagbigay ng mas maraming gatas,” he explained. He also outlined the NDA’s broader regional ambitions.
“When I presented this model to the Secretary, he expressed full support and emphasized that every region should eventually have a stock farm,” Andaya said.
The General Tinio Stock Farm features a capacity of about 150 dairy cattle, modern misters, cow brushes, and a 15-hectare forage area to ensure proper nutrition and animal comfort, components essential to achieving high-quality milk production.
The completion of the General Tiñio Stock Farm in one year and six months reflects a swift project execution by the NDA, delivered with strict compliance to the highest construction and operational quality requirements.
“This facility is a blueprint for dairy modernization,” Andaya added. “Ito ang magiging model farm na susundan natin sa mga susunod pang pasilidad.”
Secretary Tiu-Laurel reaffirmed DA’s commitment to supporting the dairy industry through herd buildup, feed development, animal health programs, enterprise development, and market linkage.
“Kapag lumago ang dairy industry, mas maraming pamilyang kumikita, mas malakas ang agribusiness, at mas mabilis ang pag-ikot ng ekonomiya sa kanayunan,” he said.
Mayor Sherry Ann D. Bolisay of General Tinio was also in attendance and expressed her full support for the NDA’s initiatives. Her presence signified the municipality’s openness to hosting the stock farm and its role in helping strengthen local dairy development in the area.
The launch was attended by national, regional, and local officials, representatives from DBM, COA, GCG, and dairy farmers from across Central Luzon.
The General Tinio Stock Farm is the first of NDA’s five stock farms to reach inauguration stage, while the facilities in Ubay (Bohol), Malaybalay (Bukidnon), Carmen (Cotabato), and Prosperidad (Agusan del Sur) are in their final phases toward full operationalization.
