“Individually we are a drop of milk but together we can be a glass of milk. United, let us chant our new battle cry with fervor! OneDA, OneDAiry Revolution: Each dairy animal, each farm, each cooperative must be productive and profitable!”

This was the call of the newly appointed National Dairy Authority (NDA) Administrator Farrell Benjelix C. Magtoto during the agency’s 27th founding anniversary program held at its headquarters in Quezon City on March 22, 2022.

In his message, Administrator Magtoto unveiled the agency’s national dairy production target for 2022 which was set at 35 million liters of milk. While this may be a big challenge for the agency, the Administrator believes that the NDA, together with its partners and stakeholders, can meet its targets through the “OneDAiry Revolution” approach which is an integrated, collaborative and unifying strategy adapted from Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar’s OneDA Reform Agenda.

This year’s theme, “Madaming Gatas, Mataas na Kita,” suitably captures the NDA’s goal of amplifying its efforts and capacity in delivering services, in collaboration with other livestock agencies and other government institutions, to increase milk productivity and profitability of Filipino dairy farmers.

Among the dignitaries who graced the event were DA Undersecretary for Livestock William C. Medrano, DA Undersecretary for Attached Agencies Rodolfo V. Vicera, and Department of Agrarian Reform Assistant Secretary for Support Services Office Milagros Isabel A. Cristobal.

During his speech, Usec. Medrano recognized the vital role of NDA in advancing the country’s milk industry and improving the lives of dairy farmers.

“The NDA has always been at the forefront in leading the accelerated development of the Philippine dairy industry with the ultimate goal of increasing milk production which is a pre-requisite for increasing profit for our local dairy farmers. Through influencing the policy direction, and successful implementation of our programs, NDA is able to carry out its mandate of providing leadership in the Philippine dairy industry,” he said.

In a video message shown during event, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Senator Cynthia A. Villar, urged both the NDA and the Philippine Carabao Center to review their programs and targets including the improvement of genetics of dairy animals, enhancement of breeding efficiency, upgrading of local animals to dairy breeds and operation of breeding and multiplier farm through private and public partnership.

Meanwhile, Administrator Magtoto reported the major accomplishments of the NDA in the past year which were aligned with the four pillars of the OneDA Reform Agenda: consolidation, modernization, industrialization and professionalization.

Other highlights of the celebration included a thanksgiving mass, launching of the agency’s new website, recognition of Management Committee female members and single mothers in NDA in observance of the Women’s Month, and the NDA employees’ fellowship activity.

To bring the special occasion closer to the dairy stakeholders, the five Regional Departments of NDA including the Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Southern Mindanao departments also held their anniversary program and activities in their respective areas.

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