The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has extended PHP2 million worth of assistance to the Ilocos Region’s dairy industry through its shared service facility (SSF) program.

In an interview on Wednesday, Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) Director Joel Cabading said they continue to work together with DTI-Ilocos Norte to provide post-harvest interventions, including the provision of machinery for milk processing, packaging, and storage, to farmers.

“The partnership focuses on the post-harvest interventions through technical support services,” Cabading said. “(The) DTI provides the necessary facilities and equipment to cater to the needs of the farmers.”

He said the technical support services cover free breeding services, veterinary services, milk collection, and links to institutional markets.

The SSF program is a strategic DTI initiative that aims to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

On Oct. 9, the DTI turned over equipment worth PHP500,000 under its SSF program to the PCC in Barangay Tabug, Batac City, Ilocos Norte to strengthen the center’s capability to produce, process, and market quality buffalo milk and other carabao-based products sourced from small-scale dairy producers.

The facilities include milking machines for hygienic milking and mechanization, freezers for milk consolidation and storage, a purée machine for preserving indigenous fruits, milk processing utensils for product development, display chillers for dairy drinks, and an ice gelato cream chiller for a variety of fruit flavors.

“Thank you so much to the DTI for the steadfast collaboration to develop the dairy industry,” Cabading said.

In a recent statement, DTI provincial director Amelia Galvez pledged to further improve the agricultural sector through collaborative projects with other partner agencies.

“Through these shared service facilities, we hope to improve our dairy production, processing, and marketing of carabao milk-based products for the benefit of local dairy farmers and cooperatives,” she said. (PNA)