DILIMAN, Quezon City—An agripreneur based in Bacolor, Pampanga is encouraging other entrepreneurs to start raising and breeding goats for milk production as it is slowly becoming a “sunrise” industry.

Randy Valerio of R.O. Valerio Dairy Farm has, in fact, developed a scheme that will ensure productivity and success in dairy goat farming.

“More or less, in the business scheme that I am also sharing with others, if you have 200 heads of dam, you can earn about Php200,000 net income in a month. You can sell both the milk and the stocks,” Valerio shared in a radio interview.

The breeds of dairy goat that Valerio raises are Anglo Nubian and Saanen which, he said, are best-suited for milk production. Currently, there are around 300 heads of goat housed in about a hectare of full confinement system that he personally designed.

“Housing is the most important of all, because you have to keep the goats safe, and particularly because we have rainy and hot weather as well. It's also where you get to monitor them easily. But you have to make sure that the housing has a proper feeding area and a clean water source,” he said.

“This type of housing that I designed would cost around Php100,000 considering the expensive price of materials nowadays. But this is already meant for the long term. Your approach needs to be for the long term so that you won't have to make new housing every year. That would be more costly,” Valerio added.

For those interested to put up their own dairy goat business, Valerio recommends starting with 10-12 heads of goat (dam) which may cost around Php50,000 each. In about five months, one can already earn almost Php400,000 from this.

As for the milk, Valerio said he is able to get as much as 300 liters a week. He shared that he was initially worried about selling this, but then discovered a growing market among dog owners and breeders.

At present, he is aiming for a higher yield of milk so that he can promote it for human consumption, as goat’s milk has high nutritional value. He has also developed dairy products such as goat milk soap, and will also launch ice cream products soon.

"For now, the average daily yield that we have can accommodate our existing clientele of dog breeders and I am happy with that. This [venture] has become sustainable and can support the day-to-day expenses of our farm," he said.

Valerio discovered his passion for goat-raising in 2004 when he took a short agricultural course at the Central Luzon State University. After working overseas for about five years, he pursued goat production using his savings.

Now, his farm is a certified Learning Site for Agriculture of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) where training activities on dairy goat farming are held. Aside from goats, Valerio also raises free-range chickens, ducks, and water buffaloes.

Valerio’s radio interview aired on “Agri Asenso” via DZRH AM, DZRH News Television, and DZRH Facebook and YouTube on August 21, 2021.

For more information on dairy goats, visit the R.O. Valerio Farm and Agri-Poultry Supply Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ROValerioFarm.