Some 1,294 heads of dairy goats from Australia arrived at the General Santos International Airport, Monday, April 5, 2021 at around 8:00 PM.

The said animals of Saanen, Alpine and Anglo-Nubian breeds are to be distributed to qualified farmers as part of the dairy goat production component of the Intensified Community-Based Dairy Enterprise Development project, an undertaking spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the National Dairy Authority (NDA) and is funded under the US Public Law 480 (US PL480) program.

Through this project, the government seeks to develop the local dairy goat industry and boost local milk production to achieve significant milk sufficiency level in the country. The distribution of the foreign-bred goats is seen to further improve the milking stocks of dairy goat producers in the country as well as provide additional livelihood opportunities and increase the income of dairy farmers in the rural areas.

Present to witness the arrival of the animals were NDA officials: Dr. Hector. P. Baruc, PL480 National Project Coordinator; Dr. Gabriel L. Lagamayo, South Luzon Department Manager; and Mr. Marlon C. Flores, Southern Mindanao Department Manager. They were also joined by Department of Agriculture (DA)-Region 12 Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen; officials from the Bureau of Customs, Department of Finance, Department of Health and General Santos City Veterinary Office; and military escorts, Fire Marshals, and Philippine Airlines staff.

Upon arrival, the dairy goats were immediately brought to the quarantine facility in Alzona farm in Brgy. Tokawal, Alabel, Sarangani Province, where they will be quarantined for 30 days prior to distribution to intended beneficiaries.