Dairy farming pushed

CEBU, Philippines - The National Dairy Authority has encouraged farmers to make use of their vacant lots by going into dairy farming.  

“We’re encouraging farmers to make use of their vacant lots,” said NDA information officer Farina Dy in a forum held at the Philippine Information Agency yesterday.

Dy said farmers should go into dairy farming instead of just leaving some areas of their farm unutilized.

She stressed that farmers can cultivate their unused lands by simply raising cattle, goats and other dairy herds which can generate more income.

To promote dairy farming, NDA encourages all farmers and those interested in dairy farming to attend the 13th Dairy Congress and World Food Expo from April 16-18 at the Cebu International Convention Center.

The event serves as a venue for the country’s dairy farmers to discuss issues affecting the industry.

“We lack fresh dairy products because most of them have already undergone the UHT process,” Dy said.

Ultra high-temperature (UHT) process is used in heating fresh milk so as not to get easily spoiled. But UHT dairy products have less protein compared to fresh dairy products due to the heating process.

“There’s a difference between edibility and freshness,” Dy said.

When asked about the effects of El Niño on dairy farming, Dy said so far there are no reported problems about the matter.

“So far, wa pa ma’y baka na nag-suffer og heat stroke, and we are telling our people to store enough water and to keep the herds under shady areas,” she said. - Ericson Catalan and Yvoughn Nadine Navarro (THE FREEMAN)