LOS ANGELES, Butuan City – In support of the government's effort to promote the animal industry, particularly pig production, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII conducted the first batch of the Basic Course on Pig Husbandry focused on fattener production to some 25 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and beneficiaries of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiative for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program.

The training aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of the AEWs and raisers in sustainable swine fattening production. It covered topics on basic management practices for swine fattening production, house design, and farm management, an overview of Good Animal Husbandry Practices, the importance of record-keeping and financial viability, and feed formulation with hands-on exercise. They were also briefed on the status and opportunities of the swine industry.

The resource persons are Dr. Marie Jocelyn C. Santiago, Supervising Agriculturist; Neciforo B. Vallicer Jr., Agricultural Technician; and Gersham D. Martinez, Technical staff, all from the Department of Agriculture – Caraga region. MAFAMUCO General Manager Joeirene M. Campomanes, and Dr. Ted A Raralio, Vet. Tech. Specialists for Hogs from San Miguel Foods, Inc. also served as resource persons during the training.

One of the trainees, Marjun Medrano, an Agricultural Technologist of LGU-San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, was thankful for the additional learnings from the training, from lectures and theories to practical experiences shared among the participants. He said that this knowledge and skills could enable him to fulfill his duties of assisting the swine raisers in his area of assignment.

Meanwhile, Aiza D. Bornales, in charge of Farmers Alternative for Self-Reliance Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FASRMCO), a certified Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA), appreciated the lectures and demonstration on animal nutrition and feed formulation using locally available materials, and determined to adopt the same in their cooperative.  

Florita G. Lozada, Agriculturist II/Livestock point person, served as project officer of the training held on July 10-12, 2024, at the Balangay Hall, ATI-RTC XIII.