MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) XI recently handed over a brand new Biosecured and Climate-controlled Swine Facility worth P5.5 million to the Davao Oriental Market Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DOMMUPCO).

This is to boost swine production, ensuring that pork products are readily available, accessible, and affordable in the Davao Oriental province, thereby accelerating the recovery of the swine industry.

On June 9, 2023, the coop beneficiary in Ligaran, Brgy. Don Salvador Lopez, City of Mati received a facility equipped with a Bio-secured Tunnel Ventilated Piggery, a biogas system, and 75 stock piglets along with feeds and biologics.

The recipients expressed their gratitude for receiving said facility which will be of great help to them.

As part of the DA's National Livestock Program, the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) has been implemented to provide assistance in the repopulation and restocking of swine 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.

During the event, Uy emphasized the project’s significance, not only to the beneficiaries but also to the community.

He 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, stressing that the impact of the project extends to all sectors of the community.

The swine facility, which can hold a total of 240 heads maximum capacity, is the first project completed in the province and in Davao Region.

Davao Oriental has approved 11 similar projects for the INSPIRE Program, including DOMMUPCO, with a total budget allocation of P64 million.

The other 10 cooperative beneficiaries have varying project statuses, including completion, mobilization, procurement, finalization of documents, and one with ongoing construction. These include LIMSCOFARMCO of the Municipality of Lupon with its farm site in Barangay Causwagan, Banaybanay (P5.5 million – INSPIRE 2022); La Union Farmers Association of the Municipality of San Isidro with its farm site in Barangay La Union, San Isidro (P5.5 million – INSPIRE 2022); Women’s Coop – Tarragona with its farm site in Barangay Central, Tarragona (P5.5 million – INSPIRE 2022); AFPC – Baganga with its farm site in Barangay Saoquege, Baganga (P5.5 million – INSPIRE 2022); CAFROCO of the Municipality of Cateel with its farm site in Barangay Aragon, Cateel (P5.5 million – INSPIRE 2022); TIMCO – Cateel with its farm site in Barangay Taytayan, Cateel (P5.5 million – INSPIRE 2022); Lapagan Cooperative of Mati City with its farm site in Barangay Don Martin Marundan, Mati City (P5.5 million – INSPIRE 2022); Uswag Carmen Irigators Association of the Municipality of Boston with its farm site in Barangay Carmen, Boston (P5 million – INSPIRE 2023); San Luis Farmers Association IA Inc of the Municipality of Caraga with its farm site in Barangay San Luis, Caraga (P10 million – INSPIRE 2023); Tiblawan Fisherfolks and Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative of the Municipality of Governor Generoso with its farm site in Barangay Tiblawan, Governor Generoso (P5 million – INSPIRE 2023).

The project aims to positively influence the economy of Davao Oriental by creating employment opportunities, ensuring adequate pork supply to potentially lower its price, and generating revenue from related industries throughout the value chain, such as corn farmers, labor sector, and AgriVet suppliers. (PIA Davao Oriental/PR fom Davao Oriental LGU)