VILLAVERDE, Nueva Vizcaya (DA)  -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) will be establishing a  Bio-Secured Swine Housing Facility worth P5.5 million here to revive the  African Swine Fever (ASF) virus – stricken hog industry.

Dr. Bryan  Sibayan, DA’s Regional Livestock focal person, said the facility can accommodate 300 heads of swine fattening that will undergo bio-safety protocol to produce quality meat products.

He said the  project will be established  in line with the DA’s Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program under the National Livestock Program (NLP).

Sibayan said the project will be jointly implemented by DA-Regional Field Office No. 02, the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya, Local Government of Villaverde, and the Bayaning-Agri-Magsasaka Damayan Villaverde Association, Inc. (BAMDVAI).

He said the  modern facility will have a lagoon and a biogas digester that will produce methane gas for the BAMDVAI members.

“This is what the government can provide for the meantime. Whatever shortage of the DA, you can fill in the gap through your bayanihan system of reciprocity,” he said.

The Bio-Secured Housing Facility with the following components: calibrated repopulation and swine livelihood enterprise, establishment of breeder multiplier farms; and intensive and modernized production will focus on hog repopulation and encourage raisers to go back to business, while also continuing efforts to control the spread of the hog virus.

Sibayan said the project will speed up the repopulation efforts to ensure availability, accessibility, and affordability of pork and pork products throughout Nueva Vizcaya.

He said BAMDVAI has donated one hectare for the construction of the 8 x 56 meters Bio-Secured Facility aside from the P150,000 counterpart, which will be used to buy additional hogs. (OTB/BME/PIA NVizcaya)