BUTUAN CITY -- In its mission to revive the hog industry affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF), the Department of Agriculture – Caraga through its Livestock Program conducted a Virtual Forum on Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) to various stakeholders in the region, last August 19.
DA-Caraga, in partnership with government insurance and financing institutions from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), explained its roster of credit window for the hog raisers to avail.
DA Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo said that the INSPIRE program is a collective effort of the government together with different stakeholders and institutions to recover from the adverse effects of ASF. Through a unified message to partner LGUs, livestock associations, and private institutions, the program will be availed by hog raisers in the entire region.
According to National Livestock Program (NLP) Director Dr. Ruth S. Miclat-Sunaco, the DA launched the twin program - INSPIRE Program and Bantay ASF sa Baranggay (BaBay ASF) to accelerate the repopulation and recovery of the hog industry.
“This INSPIRE Program has a three-year duration composed of four components, such as calibrated repopulation, the establishment of multiplier farm, insurance subsidy, and credit windows. All of these will be a great help for our livestock farmers,” Dir. Sunaco said.
Also, Coordinator for ASF Indemnification, Monitoring, and Validation Gerard Aranas of the NLP presented the salient features of the program.
“The DA cannot do it alone, we need the cooperation of everyone. The keyword that I would like to leave is vigilant. Being vigilant in our fight against ASF,” Aranas said.
The Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC) represented by Senior Program Management Officer Mayeth Samson explained its zero-interest loan payable in three to five years which is called the Agri Negosyo Loan Program or ANYO.
Furthermore, the Development Bank of the Philippines represented by Program Development Officer Ashely Diaz also discussed its Swine Repopulation, Rehabilitation, and Recovery (SWINE R3) Credit Program. The Swine R3 has initial funding of P12 billion. It offers a maximum loanable amount of 100 percent of the total project cost for the local government units, and 70% for private companies.
The Virtual Forum was attended by the different Municipal and City Agriculture or Veterinary Offices in the four provinces of the region, selected farmer organizations and associations, and representatives from non-government organizations. (Kent Warren H. Fugoso, DA-RAFIS13/PIA Caraga)
