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 diary 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 in to 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.
Opening his eyes to a wider horizon, Ibay ventured to explore dairy industry on their farm as he saw the potential of a Bangsamoro to also triumph in this field.
“We initially wanted to start with just five cows, but the NDA encouraged us not to limit ourselves. It is a challenging industry because you need readiness, like having enough resources, but I want to show my fellow Bangsamoro people that they, too, can succeed here,” he said.
He stressed that rearing cows requires too much work, such as providing at least 40 to 50 kilograms of food for each of their 50 cows, totaling 2,500 to 3,500 kilograms per day. Despite the challenge of the food alone, he said, “It pays off.”
“According to the National Dairy Authority, we are the first farm in the Bangsamoro region to have a dairy and processing with such produce,” he underscored.
NDA cited that the major factor to consider in the success of such an industry is “holistic readiness.”
These are the different flavors of Amaya Integrated Farm’s bottled milk. (Benyamen Cabuntalan/BIO)
Farm Produce
Amaya Intergrated Farm offers milk bars, fresh milk, and homemade pastillas (creamy mini milk candies) as the main by-products of their cows’ milk.
Their delectable milk bars, available in chocolate, strawberry, buko pandan, melon, and original flavors, are priced at P8 for retail and P10 for wholesale. Their bottled milk, priced at P30, is among their best-sellers and comes in the same flavors.
Homemade pastillas, made by Ibay’s wife, are P120 per tub in original and chocolate flavors. No bull, their dairy products are tasty!
Having coordinated with the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT), these products were previously showcased in Cotabato City during the Ramadān Trade Fair, an annual event taking place during the holy month in the Islamic faith, joined by various Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Ibay also mentioned that they look forward to adding another by-product for their cows’ milk, which is a yogurt ice cream.
They have discussed with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) about the provision of costless ice-cream processing equipment.
Likewise, Ibay reassured that their milk is fresh and healthy, having gone through rigid and strict procedures such as carbon-based methodologies to guarantee its numerous health benefits.
They are also expecting to receive Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and Halal certifications soon, ensuring compliance with health and food safety protocols.
FDA approval indicates that the products’ benefits outweigh the risks, while Halal certification confirms adherence to Islamic slaughtering requirements.
Additionally, cow manure is used as organic fertilizer for the farm’s fruits and vegetables, which include dragon fruits, passion fruits, lettuce, cucumbers, eggplants, spinach, and squash, among others.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) and the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) also extended assistance and aid by providing seedlings and constructing a farm-to-market road (FMR), respectively.
Mr. Rex Millano, the Manager and one of the 32 employees at the Amaya Integrated Farm, explains the benefits of animal manure as an organic fertilizer. (Benyamen Cabuntalan/BIO)
Employment
Amaya Intergrated Farm employs 32 individuals who have been trained in the necessary skills for the farm’s upkeep and improvement.
“Job opportunities have been one of our goals. That is the reason why I always tell my employees that our triumphs are also theirs,” he stated.
The farm also welcomed three batches of on-the-job trainees (OJTs) from Cotabato State University (CotSU) and provided opportunities for students with meager incomes to experience farming firsthand.
“These students are usually the ones with financial difficulties, where their on-the-job training in big cities seems to be almost unthinkable and impossible. This made us establish a training center here on the farm to make them feel comfortable,” he emphasized.
He said that the farm fosters transparency and provides equal opportunities for all.
“We hide nothing here. What we do here is also the one that we teach to our fellow Bangsamoro. We would like to share with others the God-given blessings we received, for I see that most of our people are left behind,” he said.
“If we even hide these things, the quality of their lives will not improve. Since our farm made it this far, the entirety of Bangsamoro people will also make it,” he continued.
Additionally, since Amaya Integrated Farm allows the reselling of their products, more small retail owners are also given livelihood opportunities, mostly in stores near schools.
Ibay anticipates future collaboration with the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education—Technical Education and Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD) to open more opportunities for the Bangsamoro.
Dr. Ibrahim Ibay, the owner of the Amaya Integrated Farm, a family-owned business, discusses the ways forward for the farm. (Benyamen Cabuntalan/BIO)
Tourism
Amaya Integrated Farm plans to open to the general public, offering unique experiences such as fruit and vegetable harvesting and exploring the farm’s tourist attractions.
Located in Brgy. Nituan, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, the farm also has a branch in Cotabato City where products are available through local delivery partners.
For business inquiries, they can be reached through their Facebook page: Amaya Integrated Farm.
Despite its challenging beginnings, Amaya Farm’s determination and perseverance have led to its success today, inspiring more BARMM residents and showcasing that although beginnings are always difficult, they are ultimately worth it. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
