Belison Multi-Purpose Cooperative Receives PHP10 Million Aid for Swine Repopulation in Antique

 SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique –

  The Belison Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) has been granted a PHP10 million subsidy through the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program by the Department of Agriculture.

Salvador Estaris, Chief Executive Officer of Belison MPC, announced plans to utilize the funds for establishing a breeding facility equipped with an artificial insemination (AI) laboratory. The initial 30 sows and one boar for breeding will be procured for the project in Barangay Tamayok, Patnongon.

This initiative aims to contribute to the hog repopulation program in Antique, addressing the decline in swine inventory caused by the impact of African swine fever (ASF). According to data from the Antique Provincial Veterinarian (ProVet), as of January 15, the province recorded 8,481 swine mortalities due to ASF.

Estaris expressed the cooperative's goal to commence construction of the breeding facility with an AI laboratory next month.

Dr. Marco Rafael Ardamil, Chief of the Public Health Division at Antique ProVet, highlighted that Belison MPC is one of the two identified cooperatives in the province set to benefit from the INSPIRE program in 2023.

As part of the INSPIRE program, the cooperative is mandated to distribute 30 percent of its piglet production to the community for free within a year. The remaining 70 percent will be dispersed to the market, and members will earn income through dividends at the year's end.

The project will focus on large white or landrace breeds capable of producing more than 20 piglets annually. Semen produced through AI will be sold to interested breeders. Ardamil emphasized that AI is a more efficient method for semen production from the boar, eliminating the need for swine transport.

With approximately 6,800 members, the cooperative has provided the project site as its counterpart contribution. (PNA)