To bolster the region's swine industry amid the African Swine Fever (ASF) crisis, farmers and agricultural extension workers underwent Training on Basic Pig Husbandry conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA at the LGU Hostel, Sto. Niño, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro on August 6-8, 2024.
As part of a government-backed repopulation program, the training focused on educating the participants with relevant knowledge on pig health and welfare, optimizing farm productivity, and achieving economic and environmental sustainability.
Engr. Jose Mari Cuasay from ATI-International Training Center on Pig Husbandry delivered his lesson on pig housing while Mr. Gio Earl Laguerta discussed various topics related to pig farming. These lectures provided participants with additional knowledge on essential practices for effective and humane pig farming, as well as a sustainable pig husbandry operation and management.
As part of their experiential learning, participants were also given the opportunity to explore the 30-Sow Level Multiplier and Techno-demo Farm Project under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) in the said municipality.
In his impressions, Mr. Micheal V. Madriaga, Manager of the Occidental Mindoro Hog Raisers Agriculture Cooperative (OMHRACO), emphasized the importance of coordinating with various agencies to modernize traditional pig husbandry practices.
“Napapanahon ang mga topics natin sa ating tatlong araw na training. Nandito tayo sa biosecurity, kung saan sa ating kooperatiba at pati na rin sa ibang backyard hog raisers, nakikipagtulungan tayo sa iba't ibang ahensya, mga munisipyo, at sa mga mas mataas na ahensya tulad ng ATI at Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office, na siyang nagbahagi sa atin ng mga paksang tulad ng pig housing. Kailangan natin i-level up at i-upgrade ang mga tradisyonal na pamamaraan ng pig husbandry, na makakatulong sa pag-angat ng kaunlaran ng ating lalawigan, ang Occidental Mindoro,” he said.
The training was participated in by 26 participants who also received IEC materials related to ASF.
