The Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) handed over Thursday afternoon a PHP10 million project to a group of hog raisers in Agusan del Norte province.

In a statement Friday, DA-13 said the assistance under the agency’s Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) benefited the Barangay Agong-ong Active Farmers Association Inc. (BAAFAI) in Buenavista town.

The project comprised a bio-secured facility with a perimeter fence, biogas, shower room, and feed storage. The group also received 300 heads of weanlings, feeds, and other zoological supplies under the INSPIRE program.

BAAFAI president Josefina Makiling expressed gratitude to the DA and the local government unit for the project, which she said would help them recover from the effects of ASF.

“We are seeing hope through the INSPIRE program of the government and thankful for the opportunity given to us to help us fully recover,” Makiling said in a phone interview on Friday.

She pledged that the organization would work to increase the number of pigs to meet the demand for pork in the local market.

In a separate statement issued on Friday, DA-13 Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen said the INSPIRE project released to BAAFAI is the third batch for the region.

“The INSPIRE is the recovery and repopulation program of the agency for the hog sector, directly responding to the needs of the industry through the establishment of swine farms and facilities,” Mangelen said. (PNA)