DILIMAN, Quezon City – When starting a business on swine production, you need to have the technical know-how and skills to do so and the knowledge on your target market.

These were some of the things that Dr. Amy Gonzales-Eguia underscored during the Free Seminar on Swine Production and Meat Processing. Dr. Eguia is a Training Specialist of the Agricultural Training Institute’s International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ATI-ITCPH).

In her lecture on swine management, Dr. Eguia talked about the aspects of pig production which include breeding, feeding, health, housing, record-keeping, and economics. She also discussed tips and problems encountered in the selection and management of boars, gilts, and weaners. “Not all types of pig would fit in to whichever ventures you want to pursue. If you want to produce pigs, you have to select the appropriate type of breeder,” Dr. Eguia stressed.

In the second part of the seminar, ATI-ITCPH Training Specialist Rhea Carandang demonstrated the processes in making hamburger patty and tapa.

Seventy-two-year-old Virgilio Villareal from Caloocan City came to the seminar with his walking cane and patiently listened to the topics discussed. He shared, “I’ve been coming to the free seminars held by the ATI and this is my fifth. This will help me a lot in setting up our two-hectare diversified farm in Pangasinan.”

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Blas, 26, from San Ildefonso, Bulacan was diligently taking notes during the lectures. She said that the discussions have been very informative, “I came here today because I want to gain more knowledge on pig production especially since I will be starting my new job at a farm in our town.”

Around 150 individuals took part in the said seminar spearheaded by the ATI through the Partnerships and Accreditation Division last June 9, 2017 at the Rural Development and Education Center in this city.