Cabanglasan, BUKIDNON---Serving as a counter measure of the threats of the African Swine Fever (ASF), the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the National Livestock Program, International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH), and the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-RTC 10) grants the local government of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon a swine multiplier breeder farm worth P10M on Thursday April 29 that will be built in Poblacion, Cabanglasan under the INSPIRE Program or Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion.

The grant was received by Cabanglasan Municipal Mayor Renante V. Inocando during the ceremonial groundbreaking and awarding program.

The construction of the breeding farm intends to give support to the livelihood of the said municipality where corn is the focus commodity. With corn as the main crop cultivated among farmers, the integration of livestock and corn is a synergistic approach that the initiative will be sustained. The breeder farm can also open a lot of swine raising and agribusiness opportunities on its neighboring municipalities.

“It was providential that the project was given to Cabanglasan since Cabanglasan has a focus on agriculture, specifically on corn production. Napakarami ng mais dito and it is timely that we will also commit a feed mill by December which is appropriate for corn-livestock integration” National Livestock Program Director and ITCPH Center Director Ruth S. Miclat-Sonaco said during her message. “I am also confident that this project is in good hands to keep ASF at bay as well as make us food secure”, Dr. Sonaco said further.

The INSPIRE Program aims to accelerate the repopulation and recovery of the hog industry to ensure availability, accessibility, and affordability of pork and pork products. The program has four components, namely: calibrated repopulation – swine livelihood enterprise; establishment of breeder multiplier farms; subsidy and insurance; and intensive and modernized production.

“We are glad to be of service and act as conduit between ITCPH and the Municipality of Cabanglasan. As the training arm of the Department of Agriculture, we are optimistic that you are ready to handle such project and we are also looking forward to get involve with you as we commit trainings like pig husbandry and swine-related trainings in the near future” Center Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez said in her message.

Meanwhile, DA-RFO 10 Regional Livestock Focal Person Maria Lourdes Sypieco pledged and committed a functional feed mill under the Bayanihan Act 2 fund. The feed mill is a timely commitment by the DA-RFO 10 since it is complementary to the swine multiplier farm.

Among the 15 multiplier farms being established in the country, two of which will rise in Mindanao, with Bukidnon as one of the multiplier farm areas.

Among the present guests during the groundbreaking ceremony and awarding program include National Livestock Program Director and ITCPH Center Director Ruth S. Miclat-Sonaco, Cabanglasan Mayor Renante V. Inocando, ATI-RTC 10 Center Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez, ATI-RTC 10 Assistant Center Director Noemi Beth G. Macario, DA-RFO 10 Regional Livestock Focal Person Maria Lourdes Sypieco, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Nancy V. Diez, Representative from the Office of the Undersecretary for Livestock Program Dr. Jonathan V. Sabiniano, Dr. Janet D. Lopez, Municipal Agriculturist Anita S. Macabugto and Municipal Veterinarian Dr. Marily V. Figuracion.

Representatives of local government units, hog industry groups, private sectors, and farmers cooperatives and associations also joined the Groundbreaking Ceremony and Awarding Program.