The University of southeastern Philippines (Usep), through its extension division in partnership with the Maligaya meat Asia corporation (MMAC), Super pork waton (SPW), and the region’s Department of Agriculture (DA) launched the happy pig project the Usep campus in Mampising, Mabini, Compostela Valley Province.
The happy pig project or ‘nangoku hoboku buta’ in Japanese, is an organic farming method.
There are currently about 300 pigs confined in a three hectare land area in the Usep Mabini campus. These pigs are being fed with non-pesticide grains and grass and are not given antibiotics.
Usep president Dr. Perfecto A. Alibin welcomed the project, as it enables the students to do research and probably employ and disseminate the kind of technology used in the program. He expressed high hopes on the success of the program.
Assistant director of the Bureau of Animal Industry Dr. Victor C. Atienza, who was on hand to represent guest of honor DA secretary Arthur C. Yap is positive that the program will lead to the exportation of meat since organic produce is in high demand. In his speech, he encouraged the farmers to participate in the project.
Regional livestock division chief Dr. Rafael T. Mercado said Davao region was chosen as site for the program because it is a rich source of food stuff, the comparative advantage in terms of agro-climatic condition. The region has also long been recognized as a foot and mouth disease-free zone and has adequate competent manpower, technology and infrastructure, as well as warm cooperation by stakeholders.
The project was formalized through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that was forged among Usep president Alibin; MMAC chief executive officer (CEO) Kimio Hayashi and DA regional technical director Romulo S. Palcon. In the partnership, Usep provides the project site and technology promotions. The technical assistance in bio-security and laboratory needs will be handled by DA. MMAC is the technology provider for the organization’s port production system.
The project launch launch was attended by consul Hiroshi Mitsuya of the Davao Japanese consulate, Japanese organic farming technologist Kazuo Tsubotani, plus representatives of Usep, Davao hog farmers, South Cotabato swine producers association, DA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR, Davao Japanese association, and other Japanese organizations, as well as Compostela Valley governor Arturo T. Uy’s representative provincial agriculturist Dr. Rolando Simene.(Usep/PIA-rbp)
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