Through the joint effort of the Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center VI, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 6 (DA-RFO 6), the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Capiz and Mambusao; and Integrated Farmers and Livestock Growers of Mambusao (IFALGAM), the newly established 30-Sow Level Swine Multiplier Techno Demo Farm was inaugurated in Barangay Cala-agus, Mambusao Capiz, last August 2, 2023.
The project was funded by the DA-National Livestock Program (DA-NLP) under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for the Recovery and Expansion (I.N.S.P.I.R.E.) Program, and implemented through ATI Region 6 and DA-RFO 6.
DA-ATI’s Director IV Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter with ATI-RTC 6’s Center Director, Ms. Mary Ann A. Ramos; Capiz’s Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Leonel P. Abordo, DVM; SB Member for Agriculture Hon. Mary Ann Labao, representing Mamubaso’s Municipal Mayor Hon. Luzviminda A. Labao; Mambusao’s Municipal Agriculturist Ms. Neda G. Linan; Punong Barangay of Cala-agus, Mambusao Hon. Nestor Gaspar; and IFALGAM’s President Ms. Hermina L. Lata conducted the ceremonial ribbon cutting which marks the beginning of a new milestone for the association.
Following the ceremony, guests and association members toured the newly inaugurated building.
The facility contains a climate-controlled (tunnel-ventilated) animal house, waste management facility, biosecurity facility, marketing area, an Artificial Insemination (AI) center, and procurement of breeders and supplies such as feed raw materials, supplements, drugs, and biologics.
“We made it because we are united. We made it because we worked hard. We made it because we are supported,” emphasized Hermina L. Lata, IFALGAM president, during her welcome remarks. She added that the association would continuously implore the support and guidance of DA, ATI, and LGUs, especially in the project implementation.
“Maayad-ayad gid ro hapon because it is the day of victory for IFALGAM,” acknowledged ATI Center Director Mary Ann A. Ramos during her speech. “The challenge is for every member of IFALGAM to sustain this project,” supported ATI National Director Remelyn R. Recoter. Director Recoter emphasized that this event is just the start of many challenges for IFALGAM, and it is essential that each member will continue to work hard and be the source of strength for each other. Engr. Recoter remarked on the importance of the project, especially as the country faces challenges caused by ASF.
Furthermore, Director Recoter highlighted the importance of acquiring an excellent breed of hogs to assist in its repopulation not only in Barangay Cala-agus, but in the whole Province of Capiz, and in effect, create opportunities through distribution to neighboring provinces or municipalities.
The I.N.S.P.I.R.E. Program aims to implement a calibrated repopulation and enhancement of the local swine industry to recover the sector’s capacity to produce sufficient supplies of hogs and pork locally, considering that the country now faces challenges because of the African Swine Fever (ASF).
IFALGAM is one of the recipients of the said Demo Farm in Western Visayas.
