MARAMAG, Bukidnon (PIA)—In support of Northern Mindanao’s swine recovery and repopulation program, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10, in partnership with Central Mindanao University (CMU) recently launched the Swine Multiplier Farm in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon.

DA Undersecretary for Livestock William C. Medrano with DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and CMU President Jesus Antonio G. Derije led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P1.4 million project consisting of one unit 10-sow level pig pen with a ratio of one male to 10 female highbred cross hogs; one unit feed mixer; and agri-supplies such as feeds, drugs, and biologics.

The project is part of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) of the National Livestock Program that aims to speed up the recovery of the swine industry and ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of pork and pork products.

“CMU being the recipient of the project will set aside 40 percent of the produced weanlings and repay DA within three years to start three months after the completed delivery of the procured breeding stocks,” said Collado.

He added that its weanlings will then be used as sentinel animals or as breeding stocks for the additional Swine Multiplier projects in the region.

Sentinel pigs are the initial contingent of pigs sent to repopulate African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected areas.

Maria Lourdes M. Sypiecco, DA-10 livestock program focal person, explained that the project can be implemented in areas where ASF is not present but adjacent to an infected zone or previously infected but the virus has not been detected for at least 90 days and has recovered from infected status.

Since December 2021, DA-10 has implemented two Swine Multiplier farm projects at DA-10’s Research Center for Upland Development in Dangcagan, Bukidnon, and Northwestern Mindanao State College of Science and Technology in Tangub City. (DA-10/PIA 10-Bukidnon)