The Negros Oriental Dairy Processing Plant, the first of its kind in the province, was recently officially inaugurated by the Land O’Lakes Foundation Philippines, Inc. together with the provincial government here and the National Dairy Authority.

The plant, a high temperature short time pasteurization type, was established in 2008 and is now processing 238 liters of milk per hour said Marilyn B. Mabale, operations manager of said foundation in a press conference.

Mabale said there are four farmers associations in the province involved in the dairy project which was made possible through collaboration between the National Dairy Authority, Land O’ Lakes Foundation Philippines Inc.- one of the leading agricultural supply and food marketing cooperatives in the United States-and the US Department of Agriculture under its Food for Progress Program.

The four farmers associations that compose the Negros Oriental Dairy Producers Incorporated (NODAPI) supply milk to the processing plant which is then produced into milk products under the brand Norient Fresh.

The products range from fresh, ready to drink milk in plant, melon, pandan, ube and chocolate flavors to milk bars and yogurt.

Mabale disclosed that the dairy project was initiated due to the province’s potential in the dairy business. “We saw the potential of NegOr as production area for dairy and at the same time a potential market for dairy products,” she said.

In 2008, Land O’ Lakes dispersed a total of 150 cow heads to 54 farmer beneficiaries’ belonging to the identified farmers groups within Metro Dumaguete.

As of June this year, the 150 cow heads grew to a total herd of 269 with a net product of 18,000 to 20,000 liters a month, of which 600 are delivered to the plant for processing said Mabale.

The provincial government provided the building within the Provincial Veterinary Office compound for the milk processing facility.

The plant is being managed by the Dumaguete Dairy Farmers Association in behalf of the Negros Oriental Dairy Producers.