Pigs are crucial and profitable livestock in the Philippines. Their meat is a part of many Filipinos' daily diets, so pig farmers are tasked with breeding and selling healthy, high-quality pigs to the market. Thus, Shieryl Sharon P. Agustin, the owner of Agustin Integrated Farm, ensures that her piggery produces plentiful and disease-free pigs.
An Empty Pen and a Dream: The Beginnings of Agustin Integrated Farm
The Agustin Integrated Farm did not start with pigs immediately. Founded in 2016 and located in Batac, Ilocos Norte, the farm began as a plantation for calamansi, bananas, and mangoes. Ms. Sharon noticed that the area was grassy. Instead of hiring extra hands to weed, she raised goats to manage the unwanted grass. Later on, the goats became unruly and started eating the farm's crops. No amount of tying or fencing kept the goats from destroying the plants. So, Ms. Sharon gave the goats away to the neighbors.
The well-kept shelter for the goats became vacant, so Ms. Sharon started brainstorming on what to do with the structure. That was when she considered taking care of pigs. Ms. Sharon reasoned it would be a speedy way of earning an income. In 2016, she bought her first four piglets and raised them until they were ready for the market. From those four piglets, she earned ₱13,000. Seeing the potential, she used the profit to buy more piglets.
After some time taking care of piglets, Ms. Sharon brainstormed buying a sow instead to minimize cost. However, whenever her sow went to heat, Ms. Sharon worried about finding pig semen from different sources. Fortunately, Ms. Sharon crossed paths with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
"Syempre si ATI madami rin siyang mga pa-training, kaya ako naman masipag din na mag-attend ng mga trainings at seminars.”
("Of course, ATI has plenty of training, so, I diligently attend ATI's trainings and seminars.”)
Ms. Sharon actively participated in the seminars, with her passions and dreams fueling her. ATI soon offered the "Artificial Insemination (AI) sa Barangay" project. Ms. Sharon took the opportunity and wrote a letter to the institute's management expressing her hope and intent. Fortunately, the Agustin Integrated Farm, which is being managed by Ms. Sharon, was granted with the establishment of an AI facility and equipment combined with training.
During the course, they learned how to do AI on pigs and how to process pig semen. AI is an essential skill that can benefit a piggery business and make breeding accessible to pig farmers. AI is also a safe breeding method since there is no contact between a sow and a boar, limiting the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
A Second Chance Thanks to AI
However, a challenge came to Agustin Integrated Farm. The African swine fever entered the country and affected Ms. Sharon's farm and pigs. For her, everything collapsed when she lost her 40 sow level in a short time.
Luckily, their second farm housed sows who underwent AI and safeguarded boars and semen produced from the AI sa Barangay project. The sows treated with AI helped rebuild their farm. Soon, they got back on their feet and assisted their community by providing affordable and accessible services and producing high-quality pigs and piglets.
Agustin Integrated Farm soon gained new animals, including cattle, ten of which were cows. The farm continued to see profit, and the money earned helped Ms. Sharon's first child to finish college and her second soon to follow.
Agustin Integrated Farm and Its Contribution to the Community
Now, the farm is serving as a learning hub on a barangay level. Various agencies and institutions benchmark it and are coming and learning how to raise, market, and breed pigs at the farm. The farm also established partnerships with schools and universities, helping students learn the ins and outs of farming. In Batac, it is rare to find an artificial insemination center. Therefore, the farm plays a crucial role in extension programs for the community and other nearby areas.
At Agustin Integrated Farm, AI has become affordable, being offered at ₱200 or lower, sometimes free, compared to private institutions, which priced AI at around ₱1,000 to ₱1,500.
Members of the community benefit from Agustin Integrated Farm and how they made AI accessible to the public. Daisy M. Buduan is a beneficiary of Agustin Integrated Farm, and she learned how to breed and birth pigs. Her job helps her children's education. Meanwhile, pig owner Jonathan Sonny Domingo buys pig semen and practices AI. He says that pigs produced by AI are healthier and better quality.
Life Goes On At Agustin Integrated Farm
Agustin Integrated Farm, whose piggery started with only four piglets, is now a crucial player for AI in their barangay and is producing physically fit and plentiful pigs for the community. The farm is a stable source of income for the Agustin family while also being a learning and resource hub for many pig farmers who want to try AI.
"Ganun ang naging takbo ng buhay ng Agustin Integrated Farm. Mahirap pero masaya kasi may challenges. Kaya dahil sa mga challenges na iyan, lalong tumitibay ang kalooban ko para tuloy-tuloy na lumaban at magsilbi sa komunidad, lalong-lalo na sa mga katulad ko na nag-aalaga ng baboy. Kaya maraming-maraming salamat at nakilala ko ang ATI."
("That is how life goes at Agustin Integrated Farm. It was arduous but exciting because of the challenges. And because of those challenges, I had to strengthen myself to continue fighting and serving the community, especially for people like me caring for pigs. So, I am thankful that I met ATI.")
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