Three (3) associations in Palawan and Romblon enhanced their swine production skills through specialized training conducted by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) MIMAROPA last November 21 and 22. The initiative strengthened farmers’ livelihoods, improved swine production, and supported the growth of the local pork industry.
In Santa Maria, Romblon, Ruel E. Galvero, Assistant Professor I from the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Environmental Science of Romblon State University, led the training for the Santo Niño Farmers and Fisherfolks Association. To prepare the group for their upcoming SAAD-supported swine project, Mr. Galvero discussed selecting good breeders, caring for piglets from birth to weaning, feeding and housing practices, and preventing diseases through biosecurity measures. The farmers also learned about waste management, record keeping, cost-and-profit estimation, and marketing their products.
Meanwhile, in Agutaya, Palawan, SAAD MIMAROPA Community Development Officer II Oliver Moncatar trained the Villa Sol and Villa Fria Farmers Associations, two SAAD-assisted groups that recently ventured into swine raising while continuing their free-range and vegetable production projects, respectively. Villa Sol members focused on proper housing, separating piglets, feeding, and disease prevention.
They also shared how they prepare feed using local ingredients such as copra meal, fish meal, cassava, ipil-ipil, and crushed shells, and discussed selecting suitable sows and boars for breeding. Villa Fria FA members, already experienced in breeding and disease prevention, focused on refining their existing practices.
CDO Moncatar acknowledged the associations’ efforts to venture into swine production while reminding them to balance their time between SAAD projects and their swine initiatives.
“Maganda po na nakapag-invest ang association ninyo sa pag-aalaga ng mga baboy as an additional source of income. Siguruhin lang po natin na kasabay ng pag-aalaga ng mga baboy ay hindi rin natin mapababayaan ang mga proyekto natin mula sa SAAD at mapalago natin ang mga ito nang sabay,” he said.
(It is good that your association has invested in raising pigs as an additional source of income. Just make sure that while taking care of the pigs, we do not neglect our SAAD projects and continue to grow them together.)
The Romblon training was facilitated by Von Carlo Viceno, CDO II, and Jellean F. Misa, administrative staff of DA-SAAD MIMAROPA. In Agutaya, CDO Moncatar was supported by Livestock Inspector Angelito L. Gabasan, Municipal Veterinary Aide G. Alfredo Aiso, and administrative staff Gerson Bacosa from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO).
