A first dairy farm for BARMM
A cow eats organic food daily to stay healthy at the Amaya Integrated Farm, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte. (Benyamen Cabuntalan/BIO)
Have you ever wondered where your favorite glass of milk comes from? For many of us, the answer could be somewhere in New Zealand. But what if we told you that delicious, high-quality dairy products were being produced just right here in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)?
The dairy industry is not very common in the region, despite previous attempts by farmers. In June 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recorded that the BARMM ranked last among all the regions in the Philippines, with only 250 dairy animals.
In an effort to create a significant impact on the region's economy, a Bangsamoro entrepreneur, who's turning BARMM's pastures into haven for happy cows, and, more importantly, happy tastebuds, has unveiled a promising future with his dairy-processing farm.
Dr. Ibrahim Ibay, a dentist-turned-public-servant, utilized his family-owned land and transformed it into a farm, paving the way for the region's dairy industry and providing employment opportunities to his fellow Bangsamoro.
His family named the property "Amaya Integrated Farm," which began operations in the post-pandemic period in 2021 after he watched a video blog (vlog) on YouTube about rearing poultry.
After watching the clip, he started a poultry business and subsequently expanded by planting dragon fruits, which he sells primarily in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, Cotabato City, Davao City, and Metro Manila, among other places.