Livestock raisers in San Isidro town recently witnessed and welcomed the blessing and turnover of a new biosecure and climate-controlled swine facility, aiming to institutionalize biosecurity and disease control measures while enhancing the swine population, eventually improving the local swine industry.
Situated at Purok Carplu in La Union, San Isidro, Davao Oriental, the P 5.5 million project, spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture’s Integrated National Swine Production Initiative for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program, promises to help boost local economic development and secure food production.
The facility includes a state-of-the-art Tunnel-Ventilated Piggery with a capacity for 250 heads, a groundbreaking Biogas System, 75 starter pigs, and essential swine feeds. This project is only one of the 11 INSPIRE projects in the province, with an overall project cost of P64 million.
The La Union Farmers Association (LUFA) members have expressed their gratitude for the project, stating that it will help them recover after the swine population dwindled in the past years due to swine flu.
Dr. Eric Dagmang, the Provincial Veterinarian, said that the project will have a significant impact on the province, yielding a plethora of benefits. By augmenting local pork production, the project promises enhanced meat sufficiency and reduced dependency on external sources, fostering self-reliance and resilience in the face of market fluctuations. “As the project sources raw materials from local farmers, it breathes life into the economy, creating a virtuous cycle of growth and opportunity,” he said.
Regional Executive Director DA RFO XI Director Macario Gonzaga, who assumed his post on April 5, reiterated his support for the province’s agri-sectors and farmers. He said more projects, not only for livestock but also for other commodities, are in the pipeline.
For the part of the provincial government, Board Member Stephen Paul “Popong” Uy, who represented Governor Niño Uy, echoed the administration’s thrust in fighting poverty and supporting the local economy through agriculture programs. He said this promising project marks agricultural prosperity. He said it beckons a future where innovation, sustainability, and community empowerment converge to cultivate lasting change. By PIO
