By Mr. Angel Supetran, Jr. (CPU ARUGA Project Leader, BSA Batch 1975)

Representatives from the CPU ARUGA and ATI-RTC posed after they signed a MOA.

The CPU Agriculture Retirees Urban Gardening Association (CPU ARUGA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) and the LGU of Sta. Barbara last June 2, 2022 at the latter’s Municipal Hall for the implementation of the proposed 30 Sow Level Swine Multiplier and Technodemo Farm Project. The tripartite MOA signing was participated by members of the CPU ARUGA alumni headed by its President, former DA RFO VI Regional Executive Director Larry P. Nacionales, Hon. Rema B. Somo, Mayor of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo and Dr. Eden DLR Bautista, Center Director of ATI-RTC. Members of CPU ARUGA also witnessed the momentous occasion while being telecast live by the LGU’s Kahilwayan News.

The P10 Million Project is a component of the Department of Agriculture under the Bayanihan II Law passed by Congress and is being implemented under the Department of Agriculture, Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion Program (INSPIRE) which aims to build, restore and recover the breeder base to support the gradual restocking and repopulation of the swine industry.

With the threat of the African Swine Fever (ASF) affecting the Luzon and Mindanao Area, this project is prepositioned to mitigate the effect of this menace if ever it might affect the 2 Billion Peso Swine Industry here in Western Visayas by having a source of ASF free breed to restock the Swine Industry here as this project will survive the effect of the disease as strict Bio-Security measures will be strictly enforced in this project area.

CPU ARUGA, as the project recipient, will also take into account the participation of women as beneficiaries as this project will set aside 30% of its production breeder stocks, castrated male and semen produced in its Artificial Insemination (AI) Lab as repayment for the program for free to selected beneficiaries through the different municipalities close to Sta. Barbara. However, as the host municipality, Sta. Barbara will get 50% of the free stocks from the Swine Farm. That is, after strengthening them into an association and training them prior to receiving the stocks. As stated, women folks will be given priority as they are the 2nd pillar of the family income generation. The breeder stocks will definitely add income to the family as the piglets from these offspring can be sold at a higher price from ordinary piglets coming from offspring of Grand Parents stocks of the Farm. While meat produced from male piglets can command better price being of good quality thin fat and more meat.

The project which is located in Bgy. Talongadian, Sta, Barbara, Iloilo will also cater to students in Agriculture and Agribusiness as the Technodemo Farm will also be a venue for training and technology transfer as this Farm will be the only one in this area that is a tunnel ventilated-type piggery with biogas receptacle so that the refuse during operation will not emit foul odor as compared with the other existing swine projects.