DAVAO CITY – The swine industry in Davao Oriental is seen to improve after the Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 (Davao Region) turned over PHP5.5 million worth of brand-new bio-secure and climate-controlled finisher operation facility over the weekend.
In a Facebook post Tuesday, Vice Governor Niño Sotero Uy said the aid was handed over to the Davao Oriental Market Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DOMMUPCO) to boost swine production, ensuring that pork products are readily available and affordable in the province.
The facility, turned over on Saturday, forms part of the implementation of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) to assist in the repopulation and restocking of swine.
The initiative also aims to address the significant losses suffered by pig farms, the reduced supply of pork, and the resulting increase in pork meat prices due to the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak.
Uy said the facility would help accelerate the recovery of the swine industry in the province.
“This is very significant, not only to the beneficiaries but also to the community,” he said.
Uy noted how the facility’s proper housing for a good supply of pork can help the farmers become self-reliant, respond to food crises, and reduce pork prices in the market, ultimately benefiting all consumers.
The swine facility, which can hold a total of 240 heads at maximum capacity, is the first project completed in the province and the region.
DA-11 data showed that Davao Oriental has approved 11 similar projects for the INSPIRE program, including DOMMUPCO, with a total budget allocation of PHP64 million.
Ten of the cooperative beneficiaries have varying project statuses that include completion, mobilization, procurement, and finalization of documents, while one has ongoing construction. (PNA)
