BUTUAN CITY – In relation to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) restocking program, the agency distributed breeding gilts to swine raisers in Caraga region.
The DA - Caraga, headed by Regional Executive Director (RED) Abel James I. Monteagudo, turns over on Monday the initial 33 heads of breeding gilts to Caraga Swine Raisers Incorporated (CARSI).
The breeding gilts amounting to P1.1 million would serve as additional breeder stock or parent stock under DA's hog restocking program.
“We need to secure a steady supply of pork in the region and this response from the government is a good solution to it,” RED Monteagudo said.
According to Livestock Program Coordinator Jekem Sanchez, the association will equally distribute these hogs to its members in the different provinces of Caraga region.
“This is DA’s initiative in the region to boost local pork supply even at the threat of the African Swine Fever (ASF) The region remains free at the moment and we are doing every possible measure to stay free from the disease as we aim to increase our swine population in the region”, Sanchez said.
Working in partnership with organized swine raisers in the region such as the CARSI, the DA is ready to provide the needed intervention to further strengthen the industry.
“This intervention given to us would enable us to produce more quality hogs which we can extend to all our members,” said CARSI President Lodela Antonio.
CARSI is an association of hog raisers all over Caraga region with the objective of producing quality hogs and maintaining the sufficient supply of pork in Northeastern Mindanao, DA 13 Regional Spokesperson Emmylou T. Presilda also told The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday.