This cooperative is expected to revive the swine industry which had been adversely affected by African swine fever that hit the country several years ago.
The Watchlife Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (WWMPC) had qualified out of six cooperatives, to become beneficiary of P7 million Bataan Swine Multiplier and Technodemo Farm Project- P5 million from Department of Agriculture (DA) and P2 million from Bataan provincial government.
Zena Sugatain who heads the Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office, (PCEDO), said the project components are: 35 breeder gilts, swine breeder farm facilities with 30 sow level capacity worth P3.6 million, and machineries and equipment. Also included are supplies like veterinary medicines and vaccines.
The 35 breeder gilts are expected to produce 758 piglets per year. Some 333 piglets will be dispersed every year for five years.
Dr, Alberto Venturina, provincial veterinarian, said the swine to be produced by the cooperative shall be dispersed to backyard hog raisers to revive the industry affected by ASF. “Pero susunod sila sa bio-protocol ne rekomendado ng DA national,” explained Venturina.
Aliw Zurita-Jose, PCEDO project development officer, said the technodemo farm is located in more or less 8,000 square-meter land within the FAB. The farm will be operational by October 21, she said.