Farmers in Barangay Sabang, Quezon, Quezon Province are preparing for the arrival of swine stocks provided by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 in CALABARZON.
The Sabang-Quezon Farmers’ Association (SQFA), under the leadership of Mr. Froilan Diaz, has been actively constructing and validating pig pens in anticipation of the boars and gilts, which are expected to be delivered as early as April. This initiative stems from a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) conducted in May 2023, which identified pig rearing as a crucial source of livelihood for the community.
SQFA is a beneficiary of SAAD’s Swine and Vegetable Production Project, valued at Php 760,437. In response to concerns surrounding the African Swine Fever outbreak in the region, the program initially prioritized the distribution of biologics for existing pigs and supplied beneficiaries with vegetable seeds and fertilizers.
To ensure the project’s sustainability and equitable distribution of benefits, Diaz explained the group’s carefully planned management strategy.
“Napag-usapan at napagkasunduan din namin kung paano namin pamamahalaan ang unang batch ng mga baboy. Napagdesisyunan ng grupo na ang unang anim (6) na magsasaka na makatatanggap ng swine intervention ay magbabalik ng sampung biik sa samahan upang mapanatili ang proyekto,” Diaz said.
[We discussed and agreed on how we would manage the first batch of pigs. The group decided that the first six (6) farmers to receive the swine intervention will return ten piglets to the association to sustain the project.]
Adding to the support, area coordinators recently visited and validated the pig pens where the first batch of swine will be raised. During their visit, they encouraged the farmers to adhere to best practices in swine management, emphasizing the importance of proper hygiene, feeding, and disease prevention.
The coordinators also highlighted the potential economic benefits for the farmers, stressing that once the piglets mature, they can be sold at local markets, providing a substantial source of income. Farmers can also choose to further expand their operations by breeding the pigs, increasing their livestock and potential earnings.
The integration of vegetable production, as supported by the SAAD program, also allows farmers to cultivate their own feeds, reducing input costs and creating a more sustainable farming system.
With the preparations well underway and the strong support of the community and DA-SAAD, Diaz expressed a positive and upbeat outlook for the success of the swine project, anticipating a significant improvement in the livelihoods of the farmers in Barangay Sabang. ###
