The Philippines and France have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the dairy sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Saturday.

The DA announced the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the National Dairy Authority (NDA) and France-based Phylum SARL for the conduct of a feasibility study for the Philippine Dairy Project.

The feasibility study would be funded through a grant from the French government’s Fonds d’Etudes et d’ Aide au Secteur Prive.

“The study will assess whether the project qualifies for a concessional loan from the French government. The Philippine Dairy Project envisions establishing a modern dairy farm in Ubay, Bohol, with the capacity to care for more than 300 cows for milk production,” it said.

The dairy farm will have a facility capable of processing up to 10 metric tons of raw milk daily.

“The dairy project also includes collaboration with local cooperatives for milk and fodder production, along with capacity-building efforts to improve training and advisory services,” the DA added.

The DA said the deal would facilitate the establishment of milk collection centers and milk processing facilities in select areas nationwide. 

Phylum SARL is a French company specializing in food, animal health and welfare.

To date, the Philippines’ milk sufficiency is just 1.66 percent.

The DA said the NDA is eyeing five percent or 80 million liters of milk by 2028.

“The country’s average milk production per cow remains low at eight liters per day, hindered by poor feed and management practices, high production cost, and insufficient dairy infrastructure,” the DA said.

“The NDA welcomes international collaborations and private sector investments to improve the country’s local dairy industry.”

The MOU was signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., representing the NDA, and Phylum SARL managing partner Francois Gary on Jan. 22, 2025.

PRDP PHOTO