ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, March 4, 2021- Provincial Coordinator of Department of Agriculture Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Ronillo Dusaban encouraged the three SAAD groups who attended the Meat Processing Training to engage in agribusiness.

The 18 farmers from Dangi Farmers’ Association (FA), Togup Indigenous Peoples FA, and the Tampilisan Subanen Cultural Minority Association (TSCMA) are recipients of projects related to swine and broiler chicken production and are now trained to upscale their activities into processing, which will give additional value to their products.

“I hope that this will serve as your stepping stone in becoming successful business owners,” said Mr. Dusaban during the said training which was held at the Top Plaza Hotel, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte on March 3 to 4.

Animal Product and Product Utilization Focal Person for the DA-Regulatory Division Isel Fetalvero discussed the methods and principles of meat processing, meat preservation, and food safety and sanitation.

Part of the program is the hands-on procedure of making meat by-products such as longganisa, tocino, tapa, and siomai.

DA9 Regional Executive Director Rad Donn L. Cedeño invited the participants to visit the DA Processing Center in Pamukutan, Zamboanga City.

Also present to assist during the training are Livestock Technician Jailyn Gamutan and Area Coordinators Nadzmar Abdulatip and Catherine Aranton.

The Dangi FA received the Swine Raising Project in 2017 (Php 486,156.50) and Meat Processing Project in 2019 (Php 136,950) and 2020 (Php 255,250). It was further noted that the group has an existing 22 piglets and 9 pigs intended for fattening that will intensify the reproduction of swine in their area as part of the repopulation program of DA.

The Togup IP’s FA also received the Swine Raising Project in 2018 (Php 524,000) and 2019 (Php 449,980); while the TSCMA received Broiler Chicken Raising Project in 2017 (Php 2,591,111.66), Swine Raising Project in 2018 (Php 871,160), and Meat Processing Project in 2021 (Php 887,430). ###

Writer:                 Aimee Lou D. Madjus, Information Officer- SAAD Zamboanga del Norte

Copy-editor:      Natalianne Marie O. Delos Reyes, PR and Comms Officer- SAAD NPMO